DARD is reminding all goat keepers (including markets, show operators and exporters) that they must register their goat herd and obtain a herd keeper number.
If you also keep sheep you must have a separate flock keeper number for them.
You must use your goat movement document book (SG2) and tags for goats, only and if you keep sheep use only your sheep documents and tags for your sheep. These documents and tags are not interchangeable. You must also maintain separate holding registers, and submit separate annual inventory returns, for each species.
You must identify your goats by the time they reach nine months of age with two means of identification bearing the same number. You can use tags, pastern tag or bolus. You do not have to electronically tag your goats unless you export them to another Member State, including the south of Ireland.
You must replace any lost or unreadable tags within 28 days of discovery and before the goat leaves your holding. If the goat was born on your holding you can apply your next set of tags from your stock of yellow tags. However, if it was not born on your holding, you must apply two replacement tags, they must be red. Red tag sets are available from all authorised tag suppliers and they do not cause the movement of your goats to be restricted. If you order a single replacement tag with the same number as the lost tag it will be yellow.
Good tagging practice is important in protecting the health and welfare of your animals. You should use a tag appropriate to the age of the animal, and to the size and shape of the ear. You should also take the necessary antiseptic precautions to prevent infection.
If you have any complaints in relation to tag performance or welfare issues due to tagging, you should report this in the first instance to your tag supplier. If you are still dissatisfied, please report your comments on approved tags using the tag performance feedback form which you can obtain from your tag supplier, from your local DARD office, or from our website at: http://www.dardni.gov.uk/ruralni/tag-man-supp-info. We would encourage you to complete the form if you experience any problems due to tagging. We will not use the form as a basis to select flocks for inspections.
If you have concerns about welfare issues in tagged animals you should have the animal examined by your veterinary surgeon. If a tag has caused an ear to become infected, you may remove the tag to allow the ear to heal and replace it with a more appropriate model, provided that the old and new tags are cross-referenced in your flock register to maintain traceability.
You can find further detailed information on the tagging and recording rules by contacting your local DARD Regional Office or on the DARD website at:http://www.dardni.gov.uk/animal-movements-sheep-and-goats.
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