What are the main changes?

Identification of Lambs born on or after 31 December 2009

• ALL breeding lambs and store and finished hoggets kept beyond 12 months of age must have full EID i.e. one electronic identifier and one visual identifier. The electronic identifier can either be an ear tag, a ruminal bolus or a pastern mark.
• Lambs intended for slaughter in a UK abattoir before reaching 12 months of age can be identified with a single conventional batch slaughter tag or with a single electronic batch slaughter tag.
• The single conventional batch slaughter tag will not be electronic and will only have “UK” and a holding of birth (HoB) flock number printed on it.
• The single electronic batch slaughter tag will contain an official EID number in the electronic chip but will have “UK” and a holding of birth (HoB) flock number printed on it.

• Bleu du Maine breeders may choose whichever  tags they prefer for their flock. The Society will continue to supply a "Bleu" tag for both pedigree & Millennium Bleu lambs.   For the 2010 lamb crop this is '001', '002', '003' etc.  The electronic system is going to begin at 00001, so will tie up if you choose all electronic tags for your lambs. 

Farmers are advised to discuss the tagging options with the marketing outlets that they intend to supply.

Recording of sheep or goats born on or after 31 December 2009

• Lambs  born on or after 31 December must be recorded in your flock record when you first identify them.
• For sheep identified with ‘full EID’ a record of the individual number that is printed on the outside of the tag or which can be read electronically from the chip (it is the same number) will be required in the flock record.
• For store and finished lambs identified with a single batch slaughter tag (conventional or electronic), a record of the number of lambs/kids tagged will be required in the flock/herd record.

Movement document (AML1)

Sheep and goats born on or after 31 December 2009 will have to be individually recorded on movement documents from 1 January 2011. However, there are several exceptions to this rule.

Central Point Recording Centre (third party recording)

Allows keepers to use an approved “central point recording centre” where available, e.g. a market or abattoir, to undertake the reading of individual identifiers off their holding e.g. at a market or abattoir.

AML1 Movement Documents

All sheep born before 31 December 2009 will have to be individually recorded on movement documents from 31 December 2011, unless moving to slaughter, either direct or via market.

All flock owners are required to complete a 'Holding Register' for each holding they keep sheep on. 

The devolved governments may have differant interpretations of the rules & you should ensure you are aware of the rules which apply to your flock.