Consultation on the double tagging of sheep and goats
This consultation closed on 20 November 2007.
European law (Council Regulation (EC) 21/2004) requires all Member States to double tag sheep and goats. However, there is provision for a derogation which allows Member States to use a single means of identification, but only if this provides equivalent traceability. The UK was granted this derogation on a temporary basis, but this expired in June 2007 when the European Commission concluded that compliance with the current regulation was insufficient to ensure equivalent traceability. The UK is therefore obliged to introduce double tagging and Defra is requesting comments on our plans to implement this in England.
Further information
Page last modified: 6 June 2008
Page published: 6 November 2007