{"id":18916,"date":"2022-10-02T08:06:30","date_gmt":"2022-10-02T08:06:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/legalblog.ie\/?p=18916"},"modified":"2022-10-02T19:13:47","modified_gmt":"2022-10-02T19:13:47","slug":"animal-id","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/","title":{"rendered":"Animal ID"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#Irish_Bovine_Animal_Identi%EF%AC%81cation_System\" title=\"Irish Bovine Animal Identi\ufb01cation System\">Irish Bovine Animal Identi\ufb01cation System<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#Tagging\" title=\"Tagging\">Tagging<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#Registration_and_Passports\" title=\"Registration and Passports\">Registration and Passports<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#Bovine_Herd_Registers\" title=\"Bovine Herd Registers\">Bovine Herd Registers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#Animal_Identi%EF%AC%81cation_and_Movement_AIM_System\" title=\"Animal Identi\ufb01cation and Movement (AIM) System\">Animal Identi\ufb01cation and Movement (AIM) System<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#Noti%EF%AC%81cations_to_AIM\" title=\"Noti\ufb01cations to AIM\">Noti\ufb01cations to AIM<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#Identi%EF%AC%81cation_of_Equines_Including_Horses_Ponies_and_Donkeys\" title=\"Identi\ufb01cation of Equines (Including Horses, Ponies and Donkeys)\">Identi\ufb01cation of Equines (Including Horses, Ponies and Donkeys)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#National_Sheep_Identi%EF%AC%81cation_System_NSIS\" title=\"National Sheep Identi\ufb01cation System (NSIS)\">National Sheep Identi\ufb01cation System (NSIS)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#Registration\" title=\"Registration\">Registration<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#Identi%EF%AC%81cation_of_Sheep_Approved_Tags\" title=\"Identi\ufb01cation of Sheep Approved Tags\">Identi\ufb01cation of Sheep Approved Tags<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#Sheep_Movement_Database_System\" title=\"Sheep Movement Database System\">Sheep Movement Database System<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#Flock_Register\" title=\"Flock Register\">Flock Register<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#Annual_Sheep_Census\" title=\"Annual Sheep Census\">Annual Sheep Census<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#National_Goat_Identi%EF%AC%81cation_System_NGIS\" title=\"National Goat Identi\ufb01cation System (NGIS)\">National Goat Identi\ufb01cation System (NGIS)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#Identi%EF%AC%81cation_of_Goats\" title=\"Identi\ufb01cation of Goats\">Identi\ufb01cation of Goats<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#Herd_Register\" title=\"Herd Register\">Herd Register<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#Movement_Document\" title=\"Movement Document\">Movement Document<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#Annual_Goat_Census\" title=\"Annual Goat Census\">Annual Goat Census<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#Imports\" title=\"Imports\">Imports<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/animal-id\/#National_Pig_Identification_and_Tracing_System_NPITS\" title=\"National Pig Identification and Tracing System (NPITS)\">National Pig Identification and Tracing System (NPITS)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Irish_Bovine_Animal_Identi%EF%AC%81cation_System\"><\/span>Irish Bovine Animal Identi\ufb01cation System<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The aim of the Bovine Animal Identi\ufb01cation System is to guarantee the safety of beef and beef products by the operation of an e\ufb00ective animal identi\ufb01cation and tracing system. The system has four elements: tagging, bovine passport, on-farm bovine herd registers and a computerised database.<\/p>\n<p>The important aspects of each of the elements of identi\ufb01cation are as follows:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tagging\"><\/span>Tagging<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The tagging system requires the application by the keeper of two identically numbered yellow plastic eartags to all calves born on a holding within twenty days of birth. Keepers are obliged to order their annual requirement of eartags directly from the tag supplier approved by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. They do this by completing the tag order card sent to them by the approved tag supplier and returning it with the appropriate fee. On application of a pair of tags to a calf, the keeper must complete a corresponding and identically numbered registration application form, which is supplied with each pair of tags.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Registration_and_Passports\"><\/span>Registration and Passports<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Keepers are required to register the birth of each calf on the Animal Identi\ufb01cation and Movement (AIM) database. This can be done by registering the calf birth online or by completing the registration application form [received with the tags] and sending it within seven days of tagging the calf to the registration agency appointed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. On receipt of a completed and valid registration application, the registration agency issues the keeper with a passport for the animal concerned. This passport must accompany the animal each time it is moved. All movements of the animal throughout its life must be recorded on the passport.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bovine_Herd_Registers\"><\/span>Bovine Herd Registers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Keepers of cattle are required to maintain a herd register of all bovine animals on their holdings. The herd register must be kept up-to-date and must record information in relation to all calves born on the holding together with details of all animals entering or leaving the herd and of animal deaths on the holding. Keepers may opt to use the electronic herd register by signing up to the facility on AIM. Herdkeepers who avail of this option can dispense with maintaining the manual bovine herd register section of the \u201cBlue Book\u201d if they so wish.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Animal_Identi%EF%AC%81cation_and_Movement_AIM_System\"><\/span>Animal Identi\ufb01cation and Movement (AIM) System<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The AIM system is a database which records all bovine birth, movements and disposals. The system captures details of all animal movements and this information is used to verify the origin, identity and life history of cattle entering the food chain. It is also used to check compliance of cattle with eligibility criteria of the Single Payment Scheme. The AIM system can also be used to assist in the<\/p>\n<p>identi\ufb01cation and tracing of bovines that may have come in contact with infectious diseases, for veterinary certi\ufb01cation and to provide statistical information in respect of the cattle sector.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Noti%EF%AC%81cations_to_AIM\"><\/span>Noti\ufb01cations to AIM<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Keepers of cattle are obliged to notify this Department of the movement of cattle to and from their holdings. In the case of cattle sold privately, the source keeper must obtain a Certi\ufb01cate of Compliance from the Cattle Movement Noti\ufb01cation Agency or on-line from the Department\u2019s website prior to the movement of any animal o\ufb00 the holding. Both the source and destination keepers must con\ufb01rm within 7 days of the event that the movement has taken place. Keepers must also notify the Department of on-farm deaths of any animal.<\/p>\n<p>On-Line Facilities available to Farmers with Bovine Animals<br \/>\nA number of on-line facilities are available under the AIM system that allows farmers to:<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Register calf births;<br \/>\n\u2022 Print error letters;<br \/>\n\u2022 Apply for a Certi\ufb01cate of Compliance (to move cattle direct from farm to farm), keepers can print the Certi\ufb01cate of Compliance from a home PC and printer;<br \/>\n\u2022 Check cattle in the herd according to the AIM database;<br \/>\n\u2022 Verify that movements in and out of the herd have been recorded on the system;<br \/>\n\u2022 View the life history of individual animals until they leave the herd;<br \/>\n\u2022 View the most recent TB test dates for animals in the herd; and<br \/>\n\u2022 Online users may opt to use the electronic herd register by signing up to the facility 8<br \/>\non AIM.<\/p>\n<p>Farmers must register with the Department\u2019s Agfood.ie facility to avail of the on-line services, which are available free of charge. This can be done by clicking on the Agfood icon on the Department\u2019s website www.agriculture.gov.ie and following the simple instructions. Farmers can also contact the eService Helpdesk (Tel: 0761 064424) to register over the phone or to obtain a paper application.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Identi%EF%AC%81cation_of_Equines_Including_Horses_Ponies_and_Donkeys\"><\/span>Identi\ufb01cation of Equines (Including Horses, Ponies and Donkeys)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Commission Regulation 504\/2008 governs the rules surrounding the identi\ufb01cation of equidae (including horses, ponies and donkeys) across the EU. This legislation was transposed into national legislation via S.I. No. 207\/2014 (as amended).<\/p>\n<p>With e\ufb00ect from 1 July 2009, all equines issued with a passport must be implanted with a transponder by a veterinary surgeon, the transponder number of which is entered in the corresponding passport issued in respect of the animal by a passport issuing organisation (PIO) approved by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Relevant information in relation to the identi\ufb01cation of the equine must be entered on the database of the issuing PIO and subsequently transmitted to the central equine database.<\/p>\n<p>The central database in Ireland was established in May 2013. It is populated with relevant identi\ufb01cation details in respect of equines identi\ufb01ed by approved PIOs in Ireland, from 1 January 1980.<\/p>\n<p>The equine passport and the entries on the central database form part of the food chain information required by o\ufb03cial veterinarians at the slaughter house in order to determine the food chain eligibility of each equine presented for slaughter.<\/p>\n<p>Apprications for equine passports must contain details of the premises registered. Number (PRN) of the keeper.<br \/>\nTransfer of ownership of an equine animal must be noti\ufb01ed to the issuing PIO by the purchaser of the animal and this information must subsequently be sent to the central equine database.<br \/>\nA person who keeps an equine animal that is not properly identi\ufb01ed in accordance with the legislation commits an o\ufb00ence.<br \/>\nAn equine passport, which records the unique life number of the animal, is valid for the<br \/>\n8 lifetime of the animal.<\/p>\n<p>It is prohibited to hold more than one passport in respect of a particular equine animal.<br \/>\nExcept in limited circumstances, the equine passport must accompany the equine at all times, or the keeper must be in a position to produce it, on request, without delay.<\/p>\n<p>In the case of loss\/theft etc. of a passport, a duplicate or replacement document may be issued by the issuing PIO \u2013 such documents automatically render the animal un\ufb01t for human consumption.<br \/>\nIt is prohibited for a person, other than the owner\/keeper or the person in charge of the animal during transportation, to have an identi\ufb01cation document relating to an equine, in his\/her possession other than with the consent of an authorised o\ufb03cer.<br \/>\nCommission Regulation 504\/2008 will be updated and replaced by Commission Implementing Regulation 262\/2015 (CR 262\/2015) on 1 January 2016.<\/p>\n<p>The legislative basis of the new law remains unchanged and it concentrates on strengthening the security of the identi\ufb01cation document as well as the mandatory establishment of central equine databases across the EU to e\ufb00ectively exchange and synchronise data between the various parties involved in equine identi\ufb01cation.<\/p>\n<p>Commission Regulation 262\/2015 clari\ufb01es that it is the keeper who is ultimately responsible for ensuring that any equine kept by him\/her is properly identi\ufb01ed.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, from 1 January 2016, the keeper will be responsible for ensuring that the data recorded on the passport is accurate and up-to-date. Any required changes must be communicated to an appropriate PIO in the Member State where the holding of the animal is located, for onward transmission to the central database of that Member State.<\/p>\n<p>On moving an equine animal into another Member State, the keeper will be required to lodge the passport of the animal with a PIO in the Member State where the new holding of the animal is located. The identi\ufb01cation data will then be entered on the database of the PIO for onward transmission to the central database of the Member State where the animal is being kept.<\/p>\n<p>Commission Regulation 262\/2015 provides that passports in respect of equines for breeding and production may only be issued by PIOs in the Member State where the holding of the animal is located.<\/p>\n<p>Under the new rules, any equine \ufb01rst identi\ufb01ed outside the timescale speci\ufb01ed in the legislation will result in the issuance of a duplicate or replacement passport, either of which automatically render the animal un\ufb01t for human consumption.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"National_Sheep_Identi%EF%AC%81cation_System_NSIS\"><\/span>National Sheep Identi\ufb01cation System (NSIS)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The EU-wide system for the identi\ufb01cation and registration of ovine (sheep) and caprine (goats) animals are set down under Council Regulation (EC) No 21\/2004 of 17 December 2003 (as amended). These rules are implemented in respect of sheep in Ireland under the National Sheep Identi\ufb01cation System (NSIS). More detailed information on NSIS can be found on the Department\u2019s website www.agriculture.gov.ie<\/p>\n<p>Under the NSIS, all \ufb02ock owners must be registered, all sheep must be tagged and details of all sheep on farms and all sheep movements must be fully recorded. This system, which encompasses producers, marts, meat factories and others, provides that Ireland has full traceability for all sheep, on an individual basis.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Registration\"><\/span>Registration<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Any person who holds or keeps sheep in the State must apply for registration of the holding to the local District Veterinary O\ufb03ce of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for the area in which the holding is situated. Registered \ufb02ock owners are issued with a herd number and a sheep designator.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Identi%EF%AC%81cation_of_Sheep_Approved_Tags\"><\/span>Identi\ufb01cation of Sheep Approved Tags<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Only tags that have been approved for use under the NSIS may be used to tag sheep in accordance with NSIS requirements. The following types of tags and identi\ufb01ers will<br \/>\nbe available for ID purposes under NSIS: 8<br \/>\n\u2022 Slaughter tags \u2013 white tags are to be placed in the left ear of sheep going directly to slaughter from the holding of birth.<br \/>\n\u2022 Mart tags \u2013 yellow tags are to be placed in the left ear of sheep presented at the mart but intended for slaughter before 12 months.<\/p>\n<p>They can also be used in lambs going directly to the factory.<br \/>\n\u2022 Electronic identi\ufb01ers (electronic eartag or ruminal bolus) \u2013 these are for use in conjunction with a mart left eartag in sheep retained on the holding of origin beyond 9 months of age and intended for breeding. They are also to be used in lambs presented at a mart or sale and intended for breeding purposes and live sheep being exported to an EU Member State or a third country.<\/p>\n<p>The identi\ufb01cation requirements for sheep as outlined here apply to sheep born after 1 January 2010. The requirements for sheep born prior to 1 January 2010 continue to be the NSIS rules that were in force at that time.<\/p>\n<p>In general the identi\ufb01cation requirements for sheep born after 1 January 2010 are set down below.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 All sheep must be tagged with at least one tag by 9 months of age or on leaving the holding of birth, whichever comes \ufb01rst.<br \/>\n\u2022 Animals to be kept de\ufb01nitively for breeding must be double tagged by 9 months of age with a conventional mart tag in the left ear, bearing a 12 digit number, and either a ruminal bolus or an electronic tag in the right ear, bearing the identical 12 digit tag number on the conventional mart tag. In general both tags on a sheep \ufb01tted with an electronic tag will be yellow. The tag on a sheep \ufb01tted with a ruminal bolus will be light blue.<br \/>\n\u2022 In the case of sheep intended for slaughter before 12 months of age they may be tagged in just the left ear with a conventional slaughter tag.<br \/>\n\u2022 In the case of sheep going for sale via a mart before 12 months old they may be tagged in just the left ear with a conventional tag which must be approved as a mart tag. (Upgrading to EID &#8211; Animals less than 12 months of age bought at marts and tagged with one conventional mart tag must be upgraded to double tagging with a speci\ufb01c EID tag if they are to be retained for breeding. This must be done by the time the animal is 12 months of age).<br \/>\n\u2022 Live Trade \u2013 Sheep born after 1 January 2010 and engaged in intra-community trade or third country exports must be double tagged with a conventional tag in the left ear, bearing a 12 digit number, and either a ruminal bolus or an electronic tag in the right ear, bearing an identical 12 digit tag number to the conventional tag.<br \/>\nSheep purchased for export and not identi\ufb01ed as above can be upgraded to EID status as follows:<br \/>\n\u2022 a bespoke EID tag bearing the same number as the conventional mart tag already on the animal can be ordered by the exporter; and<br \/>\n\u2022 sheep can be re-tagged with a new EID set and the new tag number correlated to the old number in the \ufb02ock register of the exporter.<\/p>\n<p>Any animal being exported must prior to presentation for certi\ufb01cation at the export assembly centre have been tagged in accordance with the rules of the NSIS. In general both tags on a sheep \ufb01tted with an electronic tag will be yellow. The tag on a sheep \ufb01tted with a ruminal bolus will be light blue.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sheep_Movement_Database_System\"><\/span>Sheep Movement Database System<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>and Movement Documents Dispatch\/Movement Documents<\/p>\n<p>A Dispatch\/Movement Document completed by the owner of the sheep must accompany sheep moving o\ufb00 the holding, throughout their movement. The Dispatch\/Movement Document is a personalised three-part document issued in the name and address of the \ufb02ock owner and containing a pre-printed Herd\/Flock Number, Serial Number and Sheep Designator. The Dispatch\/Movement Document must be signed by the \ufb02ock keeper o\ufb00 who\u2019s holding the sheep are being moved. In addition the blank areas of the document must be completed by the owner of the sheep, indicating the number of sheep being moved, the individual tag number of each sheep in the consignment being moved and the Herd\/Flock Number of the farm or (in the case of a slaughter plant or mart) the name and address of the holding to which the sheep have been consigned.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Flock_Register\"><\/span>Flock Register<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Persons who hold or keep sheep on a registered holding must maintain records of the individual animal identi\ufb01cation number attached to the animals. They must also keep a written record of the movement of animals onto or o\ufb00 the registered holding. To facilitate the recording of these details, Flock Registers are issued to all sheep \ufb02ock owners.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Annual_Sheep_Census\"><\/span>Annual Sheep Census<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Under EU Regulation 21\/2004 all sheep keepers must count the sheep present in the \ufb02ock on the holding, record this number in the \ufb02ock register and are legally obliged to return this number to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine once a year.<\/p>\n<p>The Annual Sheep Census takes places normally in December and each registered \ufb02ock owner will receive in the post a Census Return which he\/she should complete in respect of the number of sheep on his\/her holding and return it immediately in the prepaid envelope provided.<\/p>\n<p>If you have no sheep at all you must complete a nil return. Failure to complete a census return will result in your sheep designator being made dormant which will prevent you from ordering sheep tags, dispatch\/movement books or \ufb02ock registers. It may also lead to penalties under cross compliance and could result in \ufb02ock owners being ineligible for certain schemes.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"National_Goat_Identi%EF%AC%81cation_System_NGIS\"><\/span>National Goat Identi\ufb01cation System (NGIS)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The EU-wide system for the identi\ufb01cation and registration of ovine (sheep) and caprine (goats) animals are set down under Council Regulation (EC) No 21\/2004 of 17 December 2003 (as amended). These rules are implemented in respect of goats in Ireland under the National Goat Identi\ufb01cation System (NGIS). The system is based on:<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Double tagging of all goats by the age of six months or on movement from the holding, whichever comes \ufb01rst;<br \/>\n\u2022 Use of herd registers to record details of numbers of goats on the holding and details of movements; and<br \/>\n\u2022 Use of dispatch documents to record movements.<\/p>\n<p>Registration<\/p>\n<p>Any person who holds or keeps goats in the State must apply for registration of the holding to the local District Veterinary O\ufb03ce of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for the area in which the holding is situated.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Identi%EF%AC%81cation_of_Goats\"><\/span>Identi\ufb01cation of Goats<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The identi\ufb01cation requirements for goats as outlined here apply to goats born after 1 January 2010. The requirements for goats born prior to January 2010 continue to be the NGIS rules that were in force at that time.<\/p>\n<p>In general the identi\ufb01cation requirements for goats born after 1 January 2010 are set down below.<br \/>\n\u2022 All goats must be tagged by 6 months of age or on leaving the holding of birth, whichever comes \ufb01rst. All goats must be double tagged (i.e. a tag in each ear) with conventional tags both of which must bear the same 12 digit number which includes the goat designator of the holding of birth and an individual goat ID number. In general both tags on a goat will be green.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Live Trade \u2013 Goats engaged in intra-community trade or third country exports must be double tagged with a conventional tag in the left ear, bearing a 12 digit number, and either a ruminal bolus or an electronic tag in the right ear, bearing an identical 12 digit tag number to the conventional tag. In general both tags on a goat \ufb01tted with an electronic tag will be green. The tag on a goat \ufb01tted with a ruminal bolus will be light blue.<\/p>\n<p>Only tags that have been approved for use under the NGIS may be used to tag goats in accordance with NGIS requirements.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Herd_Register\"><\/span>Herd Register<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Persons who hold or keep goats on a registered holding must maintain a herd register in the format supplied by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. For goats born prior to 31 December 2009 the details can be recorded on a batch basis (i.e. not on an individual basis) of all movements of goats onto and o\ufb00 the holding. For all goats born after 31 December 2009 it is necessary to record details on an individual animal basis including the following:<br \/>\n\u2022 the individual identi\ufb01cation code of the animal;<br \/>\n\u2022 the year of birth and date of identi\ufb01cation;<br \/>\n\u2022 the month and the year of death of the animal on the holding; and<br \/>\n\u2022 the race and, if known, the genotype.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Movement_Document\"><\/span>Movement Document<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A Dispatch\/Movement Document completed by the owner of the goats must accompany goats moving o\ufb00 the holding, throughout their movement. The Dispatch\/Movement Document is a three-part document, which must be signed by the herd keeper o\ufb00 who\u2019s holding the goats are being moved. In addition the blank areas of the document must be completed by the owner of the goat(s), indicating the number of goats being moved and the herd number of the farm or (in the case of a slaughter plant or mart) the name and address of the holding to which the goat(s) have been consigned. Details of the individual identi\ufb01cation code of each goat must also be recorded on the document.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Annual_Goat_Census\"><\/span>Annual Goat Census<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Under EU Regulation 21\/2004 all goat keepers must count the goats present on the holding, record this number in the herd register and are legally obliged to return this number to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine once a year.<br \/>\nThe Annual Goat Census takes places normally in December and each registered herd owner will receive in the post a Census Return which he\/she should complete in respect of the number of goats on his\/her holding and return it immediately in the prepaid envelope provided.<\/p>\n<p>If you have no goats at all you must complete a nil return. Failure to complete a census return will result in your goat designator being made dormant which will prevent you from ordering goat tags, dispatch\/movement books or herd registers. It may also lead to penalties under cross compliance and could hamper claims made under certain schemes.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Imports\"><\/span>Imports<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Goats imported from another Member State or from third countries must be double tagged with a conventional tag in the left ear, bearing a 12 digit number, and either a ruminal bolus or an electronic tag in the right ear, bearing an identical 12 digit tag number to the conventional tag. Existing veterinary requirements continue to apply.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"National_Pig_Identification_and_Tracing_System_NPITS\"><\/span>National Pig Identification and Tracing System (NPITS)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In accordance with legal requirements the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has developed a National Pig Identi\ufb01cation and Tracing System (NPITS), which came into operation in July 2002. In broad terms the system involves the identi\ufb01cation of all pigs that are moved o\ufb00 the holding by either an ear tag or a slap mark and the identi\ufb01cation of breeding stock with an individual number. All pig movements are recorded on a central movement database. For any queries Tel: 1890 291 000.<br \/>\nOnly persons with valid pig herd numbers will be allowed to trade in pigs.<\/p>\n<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-18916\" data-postid=\"18916\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-18916 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Irish Bovine Animal Identi\ufb01cation System The aim of the Bovine Animal Identi\ufb01cation System is to guarantee the safety of beef and beef products by the operation of an e\ufb00ective animal identi\ufb01cation and tracing system. The system has four elements: tagging, bovine passport, on-farm bovine herd registers and a computerised database. The important aspects of each [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[91],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18916"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18916"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18916\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18917,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18916\/revisions\/18917"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18916"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18916"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18916"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}