Guidance notes on the tagging of sheep and goats
(for Scotland)
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The main legislation that applies is the Sheep and Goats (Identification and Traceability) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 as amended, which implements Council Regulation No. 21/2004 in Scotland. There are different requirements for sheep born after 9 July 2005 but before 18 January 2008 and those born on or after 18 January 2008 in respect of the type of ear tags used. There is a requirement to apply a baseline S tag if you are moving an animal off a holding that is not its holding of birth and it does not have an official tag with an individual animal number (with exemptions).
Eartags must not be removed unless they are causing suffering to the animal, or unless one is re-applied immediately. A replacement eartag must be applied in the event of the original becoming lost. Approved eartags must be made of degradeable material, tamperproof, easy to read, and permanently marked with the relevant information.
