Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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Electronic identification of sheep and goats
The EU Council of Ministers have today agreed on 31 December 2009 as the obligatory implementation date for the introduction of electronic identification (EID) of sheep and goats.
The Regulation was adopted on 17 December 2003 and introduces, amongst other measures, a system of individual animal recording and electronic identification (EID) for sheep and goats, which will now be required from 31 December 2009. The Commission's report on the implementation of electronic identification of sheep and goats was published on 16 November 2007.
Animal Welfare Minister Jeff Rooker said:
"Whilst I am aware that the industry needs to make significant changes in order to implement these proposals, securing a delay until 31 December 2009 for implementation is a significant achievement and will give our industry two years longer than was originally agreed to adjust to the introduction of EID.
"We do still have concerns about the cost and practicalities of introducing EID and these are recognised in the Commission's report. We will continue to work in close partnership with industry to discuss the implementation of EID in a way which is practical and industry can make work. We will also be seeking further amendments to the Regulation to limit the impact of the introduction of the individual recording requirements which exists for older animals."
Notes to editors
1. Further information can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/id-move/index.htm
2. Council Regulation (EC) No. 21/2004 ("the Regulation"), which was adopted on 17 December 2003, established a system for the identification and registration of ovine and caprine animals. Amongst other measures it provided for the introduction of individual animal recording and electronic identification (EID) for sheep and goats from 1 January 2008. This date was subject to confirmation or amendment by the Council, following a report from the Commission to the Council which was to have been submitted by 30 June 2006.
3. The Commission's report on the implementation of electronic identification of sheep and goats was published on 16 November 2007. Council Legal Service confirmed that if a decision was not taken before 1 January 2008, then EID would come into effect by default on that date.
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