Tag, record and report sheep and goats for export
What tags to use when exporting or moving sheep and goats outside of GB, including to Northern Ireland, what movement information to record and report.
Applies to England
You must ensure sheep and goats are tagged correctly so that they can be traced at all times. This is to help prevent and contain the spread of disease.
These are the identification and tracing rules to follow when you want to:
- export to the EU
- move to Northern Ireland
- transit through the EU or Northern Ireland
There are other rules for exporting, for example having the necessary health certificates.
Read about:
How to tag sheep and goats for export
All sheep and goats you want to export must have the following 2 tags:
- an EID (electronic identification) tag
- a visual (non-EID) tag
The EID tag must be either a yellow EID ear tag or an EID bolus (ingested by the animal).
When tagging with a yellow EID ear tag
The accompanying visual (non-EID tag) must be either one of the following:
- an ear tag of any colour except yellow, red or black
- a green pastern band (it can be any colour except yellow, red or black but only green is being supplied)
When tagging with an EID bolus
The accompanying visual (non-EID tag) must be a black ear tag with a ‘B’ printed on it.
Replacement tags applied to an animal not born on the holding must be red.
Where to buy tags
Buy tags from ear tag suppliers approved by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).
When ordering tags, you’ll need the county parish holding (CPH) number and flock or herd mark for where you keep the animal.
Replacing lost or damaged tags
You must replace a lost or damaged tag within 28 days or before you export or move the animal if this is sooner.
What to record in your holding register
You must record the:
- animals’ official identification numbers before they move off your holding
- date of the movement off your holding within 36 hours
If you’re moving animals to an assembly centre
Within 36 hours, you must record the:
- date of the movement off your holding
- total number of animals moved
Find out how to keep a holding register.
Report the off movement to the Livestock Information Service
You must report the movement to the Livestock Information Service (LIS) within 3 days of the animals leaving your holding.
Find out how to report a movement to the LIS.
If you use common land
You cannot export or move animals directly from common land.
You must bring the animals back to your holding, follow the standstill rule and check they are tagged correctly before you can export them.
Common land is land owned by one or more persons where other people, known as ‘commoners’ have rights to use the land, usually for grazing.
Last updated 31 May 2024 + show all updates
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References removed about it being against the law to export from Great Britain cattle for slaughter, or for fattening for slaughter, until it comes into effect.
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Additional text added due to change in legislation: 'It is against the law to export from Great Britain sheep or goats for slaughter, or for fattening for slaughter.' Amendments made throughout to reflect change to this legislation and also the end of mandatory re-tagging with GB tags for exports.
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First published.