The National Sheep Association (NSA) and the Livestock Auctioneers Asso- ciation (LAA) are urging all sheep farmers to ensure they are fully aware of the current rules on tagging sheep as there will be an EU inspection of the UK tagging system in the New Year.

At the moment the UK is seeking a derogation that will allow sheep producers to carry on with the current UK tagging system even though the rest of the EU will move to a double tagging system in July of next year. The continued use of the UK system, a position which was negotiated by Defra with full support from industry, is however dependent on the EU being satisfied that the UK system is robust enough to give full traceability.

Peter Morris, deputy chief executive of the NSA, Peter Morris said: "The tagging rules we have at the moment are onerous and complicated enough. How- ever, if we fail this inspection in January and find ourselves facing the prospect of double tagging sheep and all that goes with it then it will be a crippling blow to the sheep sector. It is vitally important that we are able to continue as now using our current system which gives excellent traceability and is workable in the UK sheep flock. We would strongly advise all sheep farmers to ensure that they keep replenishing their stocks of S- and R-tags on farm so they are available for use as needed."

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Source: The Journal
December 17, 2004

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