Sheep: Ear Tagging

Mr. Prisk
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his policy is on double-tagging upland sheep; and what estimate his Department has made of the likely financial effects on hill farmers of the double-tagging system.

Jonathan Shaw
In accordance with EU legislation, all sheep which are not intended for slaughter within 12 months of age must be double tagged. In England, the rules apply to sheep and goats born on or after 11 January 2008 and those not officially identified by that date.

An impact assessment on the introduction in England of double tagging of sheep and goats was prepared. This has been placed in the Library of the House.