THE threat of UK sheep having to be "double tagged" has moved a step closer.

The European Commission has told officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) that they are unlikely to extend the UK's derogation (permission not to follow an EU Directive in its entirety). Three inspections of the UK system showed poor compliance by farmers and weak enforcement by the authorities.

Peter Morris, chief executive of the National Sheep Association (NSA), said if the UK's exemption was lost, it would be vital that Defra did not "gold plate" the requirements.

The EU rules only required sheep born after the rules were introduced to be double tagged, and only those for breeding.

Both identical tags would have to be in place by the time the animal is nine months of age, or when it leaves the holding of birth, whichever is the sooner.

Double tagging would not be needed for sheep intended for slaughter under 12 months of age. They would only need a single flock tag.

There would be no requirement to record individual ear tag numbers on double or single tagged sheep when they are moved. It would only be when, or if, electronic ID is introduced that a record of individual ear tag numbers would have to be made for movements.

Mr Morris said it was also clear that if a tag was lost, it would not have to be replaced with one having an identical number to that lost.

Double tagging does not require sheep to be additionally tagged as they move from holding to holding or even through market so the UK's "s" tag system could be scrapped.

The regulation also does not require flock numbers to be listed on movement documents.

Mr Morris warned Defra may try to impose recording requirements and movement tag systems but said "if they do, they will be guilty of blatant gold plating".