09/01/08
An expert from tag specialists, Ritchey has announced that Defra
has issued further clarification relating to the new rules on sheep
double-tagging, due to come into force on January 11 (08).
Linda Simms, tag registration supervisor at the Masham, North
Yorkshire-based firm, says the Defra announcement (on Monday, January
7, 2008), relates to the identification of slaughter animals over
12 months old.
“Sheep will need to be double-tagged once they reach 12 months.
Where an animal is being double tagged for the first time, the
numbers on the two tags must be identical,” says Mrs Simms.
“Producers have two options. They can either insert an identical
match-up tag, or use two new tags. If two new tags are used, the
new numbers must be cross-referenced against the existing single
tag in the flock register.”
The proposals on double tagging follow failed efforts by UK representatives
to extend a European Union derogation. EU officials carried out
three separate inspections to look at the current traceability
of sheep in the UK, and reported serious faults within the system.
Their findings have fuelled the latest proposals for the introduction
of double tagging.
Ritchey Advises Producers on New Rules for Double-Tagging
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