Electronic ID
Compulsory Electronic Identification (EID) of sheep has been introduced in the UK from 31st December 2009.
Extract from Defra website :
"EID will replace the current double tagging rules for sheep which have been in force since 1st January 2008. EID will not be mandatory for goats because the UK goat population falls below the 160,000 threshold. However, goats will still need to be individually recorded on a holding register.
Following the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in 2001 the European Commission made proposals to improve the traceability of sheep and goats. The proposals included individual identification and recording so that individual animal movements could be traced. The proposals also included electronic identification as the European Commission recognised that recording individual numbers particularly in places of high throughput is not practical without electronic means."
Rules differ across the UK.
England
All lambs born or identified after 31st December 2009, that are intended for breeding, will have to be double tagged with an EID and a visual identifier. The EID can either be a tag or a bolus. There is also an option for animals that are intended for slaughter under 12 months of age to have a single electronic slaughter tag. This is the recommended option for all lambs sold through a market.
Wales
All lambs born after 31st December 2009, that are intended for breeding, will have to be double tagged with an EID and a visual identifier. The EID can either be a tag or a bolus. There is an option for animals that are intended for slaughter under 12 months of age to have a single electronic slaughter tag. This is the recommended option for all lambs sold through a market.
Scotland
All lambs born or identified after 31st December 2009, that are intended for breeding, will have to be double tagged with an EID and a visual identifier. The EID can either be a tag or a bolus. Slaughter animals require one electronic slaughter tag.
All electronic tags will be programmed with the current flock mark (with the addition of a zero), plus a 5 digit individual number. For example, tag UK123456, number 1, will be programmed 012345600001. Therefore any tag read with a reader, will still clearly show the keepers flock mark and the animals individual number.
Tags
Loop Tag
A development of our highly successful, one-piece loop tag. This is very closely based on our current tag, 
and will even fit our current pliers, with only a slight modification required.
This will be available as either the electronic tag for double tagging or as a electronic slaughter tag.
Please see our standard range of sheep tags for the secondary/match up tag.
Hand Held Readers
A reader may be useful to the keeper for some of the recording requirements that are to be implemented alongside EID. Keepers do not have to purchase electronic equipment or a computer, but EID is a good opportunity to create more accurate records.
Smart Reader HR3
Portable, hand held EID tag reader with Bluetooth communications and internal memory for 5,000 tags.
Further Information
For further information please visit :
http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/movements/sheep/index.htm
OR
For general information on regulations and equipment available, please visit :
http://www.sheepeid.info/
Please contact us for any further information.