Gildernew announces sheep EID funding for movement recording

Gildernew announces sheep EID funding for movement recording

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA, today announced funding for markets, abattoirs, export assembly centres, and slaughter collection centres (lamb groups) to help them read sheep EID tags and complete movement documentation on behalf of keepers.

Announcing the sheep EID funding, the Minister said: “I have pledged all along to do my best to secure a measure of financial assistance to help the industry with the transition to Sheep EID, and can confirm today that £250,000 will be made available from DARD.

"We all recognise that the introduction of sheep EID is necessary under EU Law and I want to do my best to ensure that the move to the new system is as smooth as possible.

"If markets, abattoirs, and others, perform the function of reading tags, and printing of movement schedules, this will greatly help keepers as they will not have to buy or use EID readers for movements to these premises.”

The Minister continued: “For movements to approved premises the keeper will not need to list the tag numbers on the movement document. The keeper will only need to complete the general information, such as, their flock number, the number of animals moved and the registration number of the transporter. The keeper will be given a list of tag numbers after the sheep arrive, which must be kept with the movement document.”

Any market, abattoir or other premises, that wishes to read tags on behalf of keepers must be approved by DARD and comply with certain conditions of operation. They will be known as a “Central Point of Recording” or CPR.

The Minister concluded: “The Department will specify conditions in the approval of a Central Point of Recording to ensure that traceability is maintained. Markets, abattoirs, export assembly centres, and slaughter collection centres will shortly be issued with an application form to enable them to apply to DARD for approval and funding. The funding will be available over the next couple of months.

"Finally, I want to reassure flock-keepers here that I am doing everything in my power to secure funding to enable them to purchase EID tags in the future. I have asked my officials to progress this as a matter of urgency.”

The Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) Order (NI) 2009 came into operation on 31 December 2009. The main components of the system are:

• All lambs born or first tagged after 31 December 2009 must be identified with two identifiers bearing the same number, one of which must carry an EID device.
• Animals born during 2010 do not have to be tagged until they are nine months old or are being moved off the holding, whichever is the earlier. The new yellow EID tags will therefore not be needed for them until this point.
• Existing green tags can no longer be applied.
• Sheep born before 31 December 2009 can be moved before 1 June 2010 if they have at least one green tag in place, without the need to upgrade to EID.
• Animals presently on farm will have to be upgraded to EID from 1 June 2010, but only when they move off the holding.
• As green movement tags can no longer be applied, tag numbers do not have to be recorded on movement documents until animals are identified with the new tags.
• Our current export rules will continue until 31 May 2010 for animals born before the end of 2009 and the use of blue export tags will be allowed.
• Goat keepers will have to comply with the same recording requirements as sheep keepers but they can apply two matching conventional tags.

A guidance booklet will be issued to all keepers shortly together with flock/herd registers and movement document books.

A series of information seminars to help explain the new rules on EID will be held shortly in your area. Full details will follow.

Notes to editors:

1. The introduction of sheep EID is an EU obligation under Council Regulation 21/2004 and requires the individual identity of sheep and goats born after 31 December 2009 to be recorded when they are moved. In order to allow this to be achieved for sheep, the Regulation requires them to be identified with an EID device and a conventional tag.
2. The objective is to make it easier to trace individual animals, especially in a serious disease outbreak situation, such as Foot and Mouth Disease.
3. Although the Council Regulation is directly applicable here, the Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) Order (NI) 2009 define offences, penalties, derogations and some additional provisions necessary to implement the Regulation here.
4. All media enquiries should be directed to the DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.