Cumbria's livestock industry is being urged to follow rules governing the movement of sheep or run the risk of further controls being imposed.
Correct identification of livestock helps both the industry and the movement licensing system to track and monitor animal movements and the standstill requirements that have been in place following the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak of 2001.
These are ongoing measures to limit the spread of any incubating disease and enable speedy tracing of affected stock. All farmers must observe the standstill when animals move onto their premises, with certain allowed exemptions.
European sheep and goat identification rules require double tagging, and for movement documents to record individual animal identification numbers.
The UK currently has EU permission not to impose the full requirements, providing that the system of farm of origin tags, 'S' tags, and movement documents is strictly followed by the livestock industry. The rules are described in the Defra booklet 'Guidance for keepers in England' which was sent to all registered sheep and goat keepers in July 2005, and are enforced by Trading Standards.
Inspectors from the European Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) carry out an annual programme of inspections to see whether member states are complying with EU food and farming rules.
Their last UK sheep and goat identification inspection was in December 2005 and found problems which mean that the UK might be required to enforce the full requirements if they are discovered again. Concerns related to how sheep that had lost their tags were re-identified, the proper use of 'S' tags, and incomplete movement documents.
Another FVO inspection is expected in early 2007 and will be looking closely at whether our system is being followed. If they find it is not, it is likely that sheep and goats will have to be double tagged from 30 June 2007 when the current exemption runs out. Movement forms and on-farm records will also have to list individual numbers each time animals are moved.
Cumbria's Chief Trading Standards Officer, Phil Ashcroft, said: "I urge all sectors of the livestock industry to follow the current rules when they move sheep. The consequence of not doing so may be that the FVO orders that UK sheep must be double tagged, which could have wide and costly implications."
ENDS
Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337
Notes for editors
1. Defra sheep and goat identification guidance issued in July 2005: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tracing/sheep/sheepgoatsrules-idbook.pdf
2. FVO website: http://ec.europa.eu/food/fvo/index_en.htm
3. Defra information on the standstill: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/movements/standstill/default.htm