Article 6 Ear tags and tattoos

England, Wales and Scotland

(1)

An ear tag must be—

(a)

easy to read during the pig’s lifetime;

(b)

made of either metal or plastic or a combination of metal and plastic;

(c)

tamper-resistant;

(d)

incapable of re-use;

(e)

sufficiently heat-resistant that neither the ear tag nor the information printed or stamped on it can be damaged by the processing of the carcase following slaughter; and

(f)

designed to remain attached to the pig without harming it.

(2)

A tattoo must be applied either by tattoo forceps, in which case it must be on an ear, or by slap-marking equipment, in which case it must be on each shoulder and must, in either case, be easy to read.

(3)

As an alternative to applying a tattoo by the methods referred to in paragraph (2) a keeper may apply a tattoo to each shoulder by means of equipment which uses compressed air to drive the tattooing pins into the skin of the pig provided the tattoo is easy to read.

(4)

A keeper may mark a pig with any further information, or add further information to the ear tag or tattoo provided that the further information is clearly distinguished from the information required under this Order.