Letter dated 15th February, 2006
To
All Breed Society Secretaries
Regional Secretaries
I write to give an update on recent discussions NSA has held with Defra over issues connected to the new tagging rules that have come into force as a result of EU Regulation 21/2004. I know that several breed societies have been in communication with Defra over these problems and so, if this information is already known to you, then please accept my apologies.
The most recent meeting place on February 7th, 2006 where many of the issues that breed societies and individuals have raised with NSA were discussed. These included:
The meeting was useful if not a little difficult in places. I will deal with each issue in the order it appears above.
Consecutive Numbering
21/2004 does not require tags to be ordered in consecutive number order. The
regulation is only concerned with ensuring that individual numbers are not
duplicated. This was agreed by Defra.
Defra took a cost-based decision to design the new ETAS software so that it
could only deal with consecutive numbering and would not be able to deal with
alternative requests. It was made quite clear to us that budgets would prevent
reconsideration of this position unless there was a considerable uproar from
the whole industry for such a change.
Defra did confirm that, once a number has been allocated by ETAS then it cannot
be reallocated again as part of a normal sequential tag order. Any numbers
ordered from ETAS and then cancelled cannot be reallocated.
The problems this presents were recognised by Defra and the following
suggestions were offered as solutions:
Overall this is not a satisfactory conclusion, although some progress has been made and there are solutions in this information for most situations. I see little chance of making further significant progress.
Management Information on Tags
Defra confirmed that there is absolutely no reason why the official tag cannot
carry management information as well as the official number. However, any
management information cannot interfere with the official number. Any tag
manufacturer refusing to put management information on the official tag cannot
legitimately hide behind the regulation as an excuse for not doing so. It is my
understanding that the official lettering on a tag must be at least 5 mm, so,
as long as any management information allows for that, then it should be
acceptable.
Management information on the official tag can be printed before or after the
official numbering as long as it does not disrupt the sequence of official
number.
Where flag tags were used, Defra said that the official number must be clearly
visible and should be on the front of the tag when viewing the animal from the
front.
Details on size of official lettering and other information can be found in the
new PAS 66 tag standards as published in 2005.
Flock or individual number on top of tags
Defra confirmed that in the case of loop tags they did not mind whether the
individual number or flock number was on the top of the ear. They understood
why different keepers might require different options. If keepers are unhappy
putting the tag in upside down to achieve this result then they should ask
their tag manufacturer to print the tags 'back to front' if required. Defra
confirmed that, no matter which end of the loop the numbering started from, it
must follow the sequence of flock number then individual number.
Using up old tags
Defra confirmed that there is no time limit for using up supplies of
existing tags as long as they are legal; i.e. flock number followed by
individual number.
Export tags
Defra confirmed that as far as they were concerned sheep for export must
either have two identical tags or a UK tag and an 'X' tag. The onus was on the
vendor to ensure that the requirements of the country of importation were met.
It was the case that some countries would insist on two identical tags and
others would be happy with an 'X' tag.
I hope this offers some clarity on some outstanding issues. NSA will keep lobbying for further practicality to be brought into the tagging regulations. If your members raise further issues which you think NSA can help with, then please let me know.
[Signed] Peter Morris
Chief Executive
National Sheep Association is an organisation which
represents the views and interests of sheep producers throughout the U.K.
NSA is funded by its membership of sheep farmers and its activities involve it
in every aspect of the sheep industry
A company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England. Registration No. 37818. Registered Charity No. 249255.
For further information on tagging:
Sheep Identification
Rules - Eblex article
Flocks Must Abide by New
Identification Rules - Eblex Lamb Briefing
Special Care Vital to
Avoid Double-Tagging Burden - Eblex Lamb Briefing
Defra Livestock Data Programme Monthly Newsletters
- Livestock Identification & Tracing
Sheep
Tagging Derogation - Eblex Sheep Practical Pointers February
2007 [Adobe Reader required]
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