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Defra has launched a supplementary consultation on how the EU rules on the electronic identification (EID) for sheep and individual recording of sheep and goats can best be implemented in England.

On 31 March, the Government sought views about proposals for implementing EID. Since then, further beneficial changes have been achieved at the EU level, , which will reduce the impact of individual recording on keepers when the new rules are introduced on 31 December 2009.

The consultation seeks further views on the implementation in England of sheep EID and individual recording for sheep and goats as required by Council Regulation (EC) 21/2004. 

The new provision allows individual recording to be carried out on behalf of keepers at approved central recording points (such as markets and abattoirs) and could reduce UK implementation costs by between £7- £18 million.

The consultation package includes:

• A paper setting out the options for implementation; and
• A supplementary economic paper that takes account of central point recording and the use of an electronic slaughter tag.

The consultation period runs from 6 August to 31 August 2009.

Further details can be viewed at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/eid-august09/index.htm

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