[Marti615]

Hi,

The last time I bought sheep was in 2008 before the EIDs were required. If I am buying lambs from a breeder, would the breeder be required to provide both the electronic tag as well as the non-electronic tag? So a tag in each ear like before but one happens to be electronic?

Some breeders of small-size sheep are happy to give me the tags but not risk injury to their lambs. They think it is kinder to the lamb to wait until it is older to receive the tags (understandable) but I am worried about failing to meet a DEFRA requirement. I believe the law is that if the lambs are moved they have to be tagged. Only homebred lambs that remain at home can wait until later for tagging, is that right?

Thank you for any information!

[Womble]

Yes, assuming these are breeding animals (i.e. no slaughter tag complications), you're correct on all counts  .

[twizzel]

Any lamb or adult sheep leaving the holding of birth needs to be tagged- lambs destined for the food chain before 12mths of age should have a single eid Slaughter tag (but double tagged is also fine). Adult sheep or lambs destined for breeding or slow finishing should be double tagged.

[Marti615]

Thank you for your replies.