The Sheep and Goats Identification (Wales) Regulations 2000

Explanatory Note

(This note does not form part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, which implement the provisions relating to sheep and goats of Council Directive 92/102/EEC on the identification and registration of animals (OJ No.L355, 5.12.92, p.32), make provision for records and other documentation concerning sheep and goats and the marking of sheep and goats. They revoke the Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) Order 1996, S. I. 1996/28 in so far as it applies to Wales.

Notification

The Regulations require any person who keeps sheep or goats to notify the National Assembly for Wales (“the National Assembly”) (regulation 3).

Records

The Regulations require anyone keeping sheep or goats to keep movement records and, in the case of keepers who are sheepmeat producers for the purposes of Council Regulation 3493/90/EEC (laying down general rules for the grant of premium to sheepmeat and goatmeat producers (O.J. L337, 4.12.90, p.7)) additional records relating to specified events (regulations 4 and 5).

Marking animals

The Regulations make provision for marking sheep and goats, either by an eartag or by a tattoo. Subject to certain exceptions and transitional provisions, from 1 January 2001 marking is required for all animals born or first moved off the holding of birth after that date, and for all sheep and goats imported into Wales from outside the European Union (regulations 6 to 8). The Regulations prohibit bringing sheep or goats into Wales from another Member State or from another part of the United Kingdom, Channel Islands or Isle of Man (“the British Islands”) unless they are marked (regulations 9 and 10).

The Regulations require the marking of sheep and goats when they are consigned to a destination outside Great Britain (regulation 11) and to a destination within Great Britain (regulation 12). They also provide for documentation to be carried when sheep or goats are moved within Great Britain (regulation 13).

The Regulations provide for the removal and replacement of eartags and tattoos, the application of additional eartags and tattoos and prohibit the alteration of eartags and tattoos (regulations 14 to 16).

Enforcement and Offences

The Regulations provide for powers for inspectors (regulation 17), offences (regulation 18) and penalties (regulation 19).

Local Authorities enforce the Regulations apart from regulation 5, which is enforced by the National Assembly.

Amendments

The Regulations amend the Sheep Annual Premium Regulations 1992 to provide for the recovery of premium from producers who have breached regulation 5 of these Regulations.

Regulatory Appraisal

A Regulatory Appraisal has been prepared in accordance with section 65 of the Government of Wales Act 1998. Copies can be obtained from the National Assembly for Wales, Agriculture Policy Division 3, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.