The Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) (Wales) Order 2015

PART 6 Removal or replacement of identification marks on animals identified before 1 January 2016

Application of Part 6

18.  This Part applies to all animals identified before 1 January 2016 and to goats identified in accordance with article 16.

Removal or replacement of identification marks

19.—(1) No person may contravene or fail to comply with Article 4(6) (first paragraph) of the Council Regulation.

(2) But a keeper must replace a lost or illegible identification mark, in accordance with article 20, article 21 or article 22 (whichever article is applicable) as soon as possible after the original identification mark is discovered to be lost or illegible, but in any event—

(a) no later than 28 days after it was discovered to be lost or illegible; and

(b) before the animal is moved from the holding.

(3) Where an identification mark is replaced with an identification mark bearing a different identification code and the animal is not on its holding of birth and the old identification code is known the keeper must cross-reference the old and new identification codes in the holding register.

(4) It is a defence for any person charged with an offence of contravening or failing to comply with paragraphs (1) or (2) to prove that—

(a) the identification mark was removed to prevent unnecessary pain to an animal; and

(b) a replacement means of identification bearing the same identification code was applied to the animal as soon as possible.

(5) A keeper may at any time remove identification marks and re-identify the animal in accordance with article 9.

Replacement of a single identification mark on a double-tagged animal

20.  An animal is re-identified according to this article if the missing or illegible means of identification is replaced with—

(a) means of identification bearing the same unique number as the lost or illegible means of identification;

(b) two non-electronic means of identification, both bearing the same number; or

(c) the means of identification specified in Article 4(1) (first paragraph), Article 4(2)(a) and (b) and Article 9(3) of the Council Regulation.

Replacement of an identification mark on a single tagged animal

21.—(1) This article applies where the means of identification or older means of identification on a single-identified animal is lost or illegible.

(2) In this article “single-identified animal” (“anifail sydd â ffurf adnabod sengl”) means an animal identified with only one older means of identification containing a unique number applied under the previous Orders.

(3) If a keeper is replacing a lost or illegible tag on an animal born after 9 July 2005 a new or replacement means of identification must be an identification tag and not a tattoo.

(4) If the animal is on its holding of birth the keeper must replace the missing or illegible means of identification with a—

(a) means of identification bearing the same unique number as the lost or illegible means of identification;

(b) a new means of identification;

(c) two non-electronic means of identification, both bearing the same number; or

(d) the means of identification specified in Article 4(1) (first paragraph), Article 4(2)(a) and (b) and Article 9(3) of the Council Regulation.

(5) If the animal is not on its holding of birth, the keeper may replace the missing or illegible means of identification with—

(a) means of identification bearing the same unique number as the lost or illegible means of identification;

(b) a replacement means of identification;

(c) two non-electronic means of identification, both bearing the same number; or

(d) the means of identification specified in Article 4(1) (first paragraph), Article 4(2)(a) and (b) and Article 9(3) of the Council Regulation.

(6) If an animal is re-identified by the means of identification referred to in paragraph (5)(b) to (d) the keeper must record information about the replacement including the full identification code on the replacement and record the letters or flockmark or herdmark on the original means of identification, if known, within the holding register.

Re-identification of animals identified under the previous Orders with a means of identification that does not contain a unique number

22.—(1) This article applies to animals identified under the previous Orders with a means of identification that does not contain a unique number.

(2) If—

(a) the means of identification becomes lost or illegible; or

(b) the animal is moved from a holding;

the animal must be re-identified in accordance with paragraphs (3) or (4).

(3) If the animal is on its holding of birth the keeper must re-identify the animal with—

(a) a new means of identification;

(b) two non-electronic means of identification both bearing the same number; or

(c) the means of identification specified in Article 4(1)(first paragraph), Article 4(2)(a) and (b) and Article 9(3) of the Council Regulation.

(4) If the animal is not on its holding of birth the keeper must re-identify the animal with—

(a) a new means of identification;

(b) two non-electronic means of identification both bearing the same number; or

(c) the means of identification specified in Article 4(1) (first paragraph), Article 4(2)(a) and (b) and Article 9(3) of the Council Regulation.

(5) If an animal is re-identified by the means of identification referred to in paragraph (4) the keeper must record information about the replacement including the full identification code on the replacement and record the letters or flockmark or herdmark on the original means of identification, if known, within the holding register.

(6) If an animal is re-identified in accordance with paragraphs (3) or (4) the identification code on a new means of identification must be—

(a) the letters “UK”; and

(b) a 12 digit number in accordance with a numbering scheme prescribed by the Welsh Ministers.