Sheep and Goat Keepers Must Identify Their Animals
Keepers are also reminded that lost tags must be replaced within 28 days of discovery and before the animal leaves the holding. It is important for traceability purposes that red replacement tags are applied if the animal is no longer on the holding of birth. Replacement tags must be recorded in the flock register and cross-referenced with the lost tag.
Keepers should therefore order tags well in advance of them being needed, and maintain a sufficient stock of both yellow and red tag sets on their holding.
Animals tagged before 31 December 2009 only need to be upgraded to EID for sheep, or two matching identifiers for goats, when they leave the holding, or if all tags have been lost.
However, in order to reduce the number of tags required, one old green tag is sufficient for dead animals being sent to a rendering plant.
It is important to use a tag appropriate to the age of the animal being tagged, and to the size and shape of the ear, and to take the necessary antiseptic precautions in order to prevent infection and tag loss. If keepers notice any failures in tag performance they should report this in the first instance to the tag supplier. They can also report this to the Department using the form available on the DARD website.
If animals are moved to or from a market or meat plant acting as a Central Point of Recording (CPR) keepers must ensure they get a full and accurate list of tag numbers, and keep this with their holding register.
Keepers should now be using their new Sheep Flock or Goat Herd Register (SG3) and Sheep and Goats Movement Book (SG2). Further detailed information on the tagging and movement rules can be found on the DARD website or by contacting your DARD Regional Office.
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
