Brussels, 17/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the Agriculture Ministers of the EU adopted the regulation establishing a new system for the identification and registration of sheep and goats, which will enter into force during the summer of 2005. Spain, Greece and Portugal voted against it, because they wanted Community funding to help operators bring in the new regime. The Commission pointed out that the new regulation on rural development allows them access to funding, depending on the priorities defined by each Member State within its national envelope. This rural development aid will be available as of 2007.
Under this new regulation, there will be double identification between 2005 and 2008, with an ear tag, plus one other means, for which Member States will be able to choose between a tattoo, a pastern marking or an electronic device. All animals must be identified 6 months after birth, or at least before they leave the holding. Electronic identification will be compulsory as of 1 January 2008 for sheep and goats in countries with herds of over 600,000, and will be optional for those with fewer animals, except if they are to be sold within the EU. In states with a goat population under 160,000, electronic identification will only be compulsory for exchanges within the EU. In line with its request, the United Kingdom will be allowed to use an identification system per holding and per animal for herd movements within a State, until 1 January 2008.