Last updated at 08:59, Friday, 08 August 2008

The National Sheep Association is concerned that many sheep farmers are not fully aware of the new double tagging rules which came into force at the start of the year.

Sheep born in 2008 and not intended for slaughter under 12 months of age must be double tagged either by the age of nine months if extensively reared or when they leave the holding of birth.

With the seasonal sales of breeding sheep just starting and the sales of gimmer ewe lambs just around the corner, it is first real test of whether sheep farmers are correctly identifying their animals.

National Sheep Association chief executive Peter Morris said: “No-one in the sheep industry is happy that we now have to double tag our sheep that have been born in 2008 and which are not intended for slaughter as lambs.

“This adds cost and hassle to sheep producers at a busy time of the year and it is very difficult to understand what it achieves in terms of improving traceability,” he added.

The association has urged all sheep farmers to take the time to make sure they have read the rules.

First published at 05:39, Friday, 08 August 2008
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk