Regulation 3 Creation of a register and provision of a distinguishing number

The Secretary of State shall create and maintain a register of establishments.

The Secretary of State shall, within a reasonable time after receipt of an application, note an establishment on the register, allocate to the establishment a distinguishing number composed in accordance with F1paragraph (3) and communicate that number to the applicant.

The distinguishing number must be composed of the appropriate farming method code determined in accordance with paragraphs (5) to (7), followed by the letters “UK”, followed by a unique identification number allocated to the establishment by the Secretary of State.

Where it appears appropriate to the Secretary of State to do so, the Secretary of State may add further characters to the unique identification number required by paragraph (3) in order to identify single flocks kept in separated buildings of an establishment.

Except where paragraph (6) applies, when the farming method in column A is used, the appropriate farming method code is the corresponding number in column B.

Where the farming method used in the establishment produces eggs under the conditions set out in Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products, the appropriate farming method code is “0”.

For the purposes of paragraph (5), the farming method used in an establishment is to be determined in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 589/2008 laying down rules for implementing Council Regulation (EC) No. 1234/2007 as regards marketing standards for eggs.