The Sheep and Goats Identification and Movement (Interim Measures) (Wales) (No. 2) Order 2002

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order applies only to Wales and revokes and re-enacts (subject to some amendment) the Sheep and Goats Identification and Movement (Interim Measures) (Wales) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1357 (W.133)). It implements the provisions relating to sheep and goats of the Council Directive 92/102/EEC on the identification and registration of animals (OJ No. L355, 5.12.92, p.32) and provides interim disease control-related measures for the period from 6th September 2002 to 1st February 2003.

The Order requires a person keeping sheep or goats to notify the National Assembly (article 3) and to keep records of the movements and other details of sheep and goats (articles 4 and 5).

Article 7 requires sheep and goats born in Wales to be marked with an Origin Mark and article 8 prohibits moving the animals from their holding of birth without an Origin Mark. Article 9 prohibits various general movements of sheep or goats unless they are marked with specified identification marks.

Article 10 provides for a maximum of 3 identification marks to be applied to a sheep or goat in most cases. Article 11 requires a sheep or goat imported from outside the European Union to be marked with an F Mark within 30 days.

Article 12 provides for a document containing specified information to accompany sheep or goats when they are moved, except in certain circumstances.

Articles 13 to 15 provide for the removal, replacement and addition of the eartags and tattoos, and prohibits their defacement. Article 16 requires production of records to an inspector and article 17 sets out provisions in respect of markets. Article 18 provides for local authorities to enforce the provisions of this Order.

Breach of any provision of this Order is an offence under Section 73 of the Animal Health Act 1981 and is punishable on conviction with a fine.

The main changes from the previous Order are—

(a) to amend the date that the Order ceases to have effect (from 1st December 2002 to 1st February 2003) (Article 1);

(b) to amend the definition of “collecting centre” so as to bring it into line with other related legislation (article 2);

(c) to increase the maximum number of tags that can be applied to an animal (article 10);

(d) to place a requirement on keepers that receive new animals to notify this fact to the local authority (article 12); and

(e) to place a requirement on keepers of animals to replace lost S Marks provided the detail of the original is known to the keeper (article 13).

A regulatory appraisal has not been prepared for this Order.