Regulation 15 Removal and replacement of eartags and tattoos
Except under the authority of an inspector, no person shall—
remove an eartag which has been attached in accordance with these Regulations, unless the eartag has become illegible or has to be removed for welfare purposes, or replace such an eartag, unless the eartag has become illegible, has to be removed for welfare purposes or has been lost; or
remove a tattoo applied to a sheep or goat in accordance with these Regulations, or replace such a tattoo, unless the tattoo has become illegible.
Where—
an eartag has been lost or removed in accordance with paragraph (1) above; or
a tattoo has become illegible,
the keeper of the holding on which the animal is kept (other than an abbatoir or market) shall replace it in accordance with paragraphs (3) and (4) below.
When replacing an eartag or tattoo pursuant to this regulation, the keeper shall re-mark the sheep or goat with an eartag or tattoo with the original number or with an eartag or tattoo bearing the flockmark or herdmark of the holding on which the sheep or goat is residing providing that the original identification mark is known and that the original and new identification marks are cross-referenced in the register required under regulations 4 and 6 above.
If it is not possible to re-mark the sheep or goat in accordance with paragraph (3) above, the keeper shall re-mark it with either—
an eartag coloured red and consisting of the letters “UK" followed by the flockmark or herdmark of the premises of the holding on which it is being tagged followed by the letter “R"; or
a tattoo consisting of the flockmark or herdmark of the premises of the holding on which it is being tagged followed by the letter “R".