Trading standards Tagging livestock
Pigs
Pigs under 12 months of age can move under a temporary paint mark when they're making store moves between holdings. Example marks can be a red stripe or blue cross.
Pigs over 12 months or any age being sold to markets, slaughterhouses or for export must be identified through either a tattoo in the ear, or heat tamper resistant metal. Plastic tags (or a combination of both) is also an option. Overall, the identification must survive the slaughter process. Alternatively, slap marking (a form of a tattoo) on both the shoulders of the pig can be used.
The herd mark will be one or two letters followed by a four-digit number. If pigs are identified with an ear tag that is lost or becomes illegible, then it must be replaced as soon as possible. It's an offence to tamper with a tag, swap a tag for a different one, or put a tag in an animal already used to identify another animal. For further information about how and when to tag pigs, please visit the GOV.UK website.
Sheep and goats
Sheep under 9 months of age don't have to be identified under your ownership while still on your holding. Once they have reached nine months they do. Sheep leaving your holding at any age must to be identified with sheep tags.
Sheep under 12 months of age going for slaughter must be identified with an electronic slaughter tag from January 2015. After this date you'll no longer be able to use non Electronically Identified (EID) slaughter tags bearing just a flock mark.
Sheep intended for breeding purposes (ie over 12 months of age) will need to be double identified. This is done through two tags. One electronic yellow tag showing the flock mark with a UK prefix and the individual number. The second being a batch tag showing the flock mark and individual number with UK prefix.
Currently goats must be identified like sheep, however the tags do not need to be electronic.
Pre 2009 sheep are covered under the old rules, or can be upgraded to the new tagging rules.
From 2015, you'll have to record the individual numbers of all older pre 2010 sheep and goats with the exception of slaughterhouse moves, or moves to 'red' slaughter markets where you can still move on a batch basis, as in just recording the flock mark with no individual number.
For further information about how to identifying your animals, please visit the GOV.UK website.
Tagging guidance for sheep
Lambs
All slaughter lambs born on or after the 1st January 2015 must have a least one electronic yellow tag. If keepers wish to buy lambs to keep beyond 12 months, they need to make sure the animals have an electronic tag when first buying them, so that they can upgrade to full EID.
Breeding stock
From 2009, all breeding stock in England and Wales should have been identified with two tags.
One electronic yellow tag and one match up tag (which can be of any colour except yellow, black or red which are reserved for other purposes).
Old ewes
Any breeding stock born prior to 2009 with original old tags can still be sold as they are. The option to upgrade them to the new system is available for keepers. Some keepers find it easier and markets generally prefer sheep that can be electronically scanned. However if they are not upgraded, please note that when selling for stores in a green market, the individual numbers must be recorded on the sheep movement license and in your on farm sheep records.
Please also note that green markets are considered to be store markets throughout, even if they have a slaughter section.
Owners of old ewes (born before 2009) with old tags are exempt from recording individual numbers if the animals are sold for slaughter (eg through a red market or direct to abattoir).
Any keeper may upgrade old tags identifying old ewes born before 2009 whether on the holding of birth or not. If upgrading, two tags are required, one yellow electronic plus a match up tag for sheep on the holding of birth, or two red tags (one of which is electronic) for sheep bought in and so are not being retagged on the holding of birth.
When replacing tags, please make sure to make a note of this in the replacement tag section in your sheep farm records. This is checked by RPA during single farm payment inspections.
Export
Double red tagged sheep can still go for export as the replacement section in your sheep farm records shows traceability provided the original number is known.
Lost or replacement tags
Lost tags on the holding of birth can be replaced like for like (as with cattle) using the same tag number, or by using the next number available in your tagging sequence.
Lost tags from bought in sheep that are not on the holding of birth can be replaced like for like if the original tag number is known. Another option is the lost tags being replaced with two red tags, where one of which will be electronic.
In all cases, you need to record any replacements made in your on farm flock register, even making a note stating ‘both tags lost’ if this is the case and you do not know previous numbers. Replacement tags must be replaced within 28 days of discovery.
Find out more about tag replacement rules.
Cattle
Cattle need to be identified with two ear tags. The primary ear tag needs to be a yellow distance readable tag. The secondary tag can be either a button or metal tag.
Replacement tags need to be replaced within 28 days of discovery of loss. Ear tags must be approved by the Secretary of State, have a crown logo and have the letters UK before the number. It is an offence to tamper with a tag or change ear tags with a different tag, or a tag that has been used to identify another animal.
In a dairy herd, the first tag must be applied within 36 hours and the second tag within 20 days. With any other herd, both tags should be applied within 20 days.