THE National Sheep Association (NSA) has reminded sheep farmers in all parts of the UK that new rules for sheep identification come in on New Year's Day.

The derogation from Europe protecting ewes and rams tagged before 2010 – the "historic flock" – from EID rules is ending and, from January 1, these animals must be individually identified on movement records unless they are going direct to an abattoir or via a red market.

The NSA stressed that the end of the derogation does not mean animals from the historic flock have to be re-tagged with full EID, but said many producers may choose to take that step if it makes it easier for them to move older ewes and rams from the historic flock between farms or via markets.

Phil Stocker, NSA chief executive, said: “It is not a legal requirement to re-tag ewes and rams from the historic flock with electronic identifiers, and we are not for a minute suggesting a gold plating of the rules.

"What we are saying is to carefully consider what moves you are likely to make with older animals in the future and, if these will not be direct to slaughter, double-tagging is likely to be the sensible option. It makes sense to do this when you are handling sheep in the coming months – and don’t forget to make a note in your flock register."

Also from January 1, sheep keepers in England can no longer use non-EID tags for lambs and must use a single EID slaughter tag in lambs not being retained for breeding. Lambs born before that date can carry a non-EID tag and there is no requirement to re-tag these animals.

Use of the non-EID slaughter tag is still permitted in Wales until January 1st 2016, but NSA urged Welsh sheep keepers to be very careful about tagging decisions they make in 2015.

NSA also reminded sheep keepers to watch out for their Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory and return it before the deadline of Wednesday, December 31.