This Order revokes and replaces the Identification and Movement of Sheep and Goats Order (Northern Ireland) 1997 (as amended).

The Order introduces new provisions for the identification and movement of sheep and goats. It prohibits a person from keeping sheep or goats on any holding unless certain details in respect of that holding are notified to the Department (Article 3).

A duty is imposed on all such persons to ensure that animals are identified in accordance with the Order (Article 4).

Article 5 prohibits a person from attaching to an animal an eartag that has not been approved by the Department and specifies the form of eartag to be used.

Article 6 sets out arrangements for the replacement of eartags where an animal has lost its eartag.

The alteration of eartags is prohibited (Article 7). The removal of identification marks is prohibited except under and in accordance with the authorisation of an inspector (Article 8).

Article 9 prohibits the movement of an animal unless it has been identified in accordance with the Order and places certain duties on the keeper of an animal to notify the Department on the movement of an animal.

Article 10 contains provisions which allow the Department to restrict the movement of animals where a keeper fails to comply with the requirements of the Order.

Article 11 contains provisions on the importation of animals from Great Britain, Member States and countries outside the European Community.

Article 12 contains provisions for the identification of animals which are for export to the Republic of Ireland or to another Member State.

Article 13 sets out the record keeping requirements. Articles 14 and 15 respectively place certain duties on market and slaughterhouse operators. Article 16 places certain duties on the operators of rendering plants, hunt kennels and incinerators. Article 17 contains transitional and saving provisions.