Sheep & Goat Identification in France

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Sheep & Goat Identification in France

The identification of all sheep and goats in France has been compulsory since 1997.

Europe-wide measures are in place to improve the identification and tracking of sheep and goats. In France this reform has been in place since 31 July 2005 with sheep and goats required to be double tagged - a tag in each ear.

Animal Identification

Any person who owns a sheep or goat - whether as a professional farmer or not, and whether keeping an animal for commercial reasons or not - must ensure the maintenance of the identification of these animals. Even if a person owns just one goat, the same rules apply.

All sheep and goats must be identified with a numéro d'exploitation from the local EDE (Etablissement Départemental d'Elevage), or GDS (Groupement de Défense Sanitaire). These are departmental associations whose role is to survey the health of animals. The GDS are recognised and subsidised by the government.

Animals born before the 31 July 2005 keep their original identification number and under no means can this identification number be changed.

All animals born after the 31 July 2005 must receive a permanent, ear tag in each ear within 6 months of their birth or before they are sold or moved. (Lambs bred for slaughter before the age of 12 months need be tagged in one ear only).

The identification number contains the following information:  

• Code of the country of birth (FR for France) 
• A six digit identification code
• Five digits which may indicate the birth date of the animal

Tags can be ordered from the local EDE or GDS. It is the owner's responsibility to replace lost ear tags.

• For further information on the tags: Click here and scroll down the page (in French)

The owner or breeder of the sheep and goats must keep a identification log (registre d’exploitation) which contains the following:

• A list of tags and identification numbers for each animal
• Date the identification took place
• Movement documents. These must accompany the animal if it is transported elsewhere
• An inventory list indicating the number of animals in the flock or herd.

A fine per animal can be imposed on owners of unidentified animals. Each animal that is not tagged will be seized and put down.

Note: Double tagging is not yet obligatory in the UK however UK raised sheep and goats must be double-tagged if they are to be exported to France.

New technologies

New software for the identification and traceability of cows, sheep and goats is being introduced across France. 

Regional Information

Aquitaine

• IPG Dordogne, Chambre d'Agriculture
  At: Service Identification, Place Francheville, Périgeux
  Tel: 05 53 35 88 98 / 05 53 35 88 56
• EDE Gironde, Chambre d'Agriculture
  At: 17 cours Xavier Arnozan, Bordeaux
  Tel: 05 56 79 64 08
• IPG Lot-et-Garonne, Chambre d'Agriculture
  At: 271 rue Péchabout, Agen
  Tel: 05 53 77 83 32
• IPG Landes, Chambre d'Agriculture
  At: 55 rue Cronstadt, Cité Galliane, Mont de Marsan
  Tel: 05 58 85 44 82
  Website (in French) 
• Service d'Identification des Ovins et Caprins Pyrénées Atlantiques, Chambre d'Agriculture
  At: 124 boulevard Tourasse, Pau
  Tel: 05 59 80 70 34
  Website (in French) 

Brittany

• Service Identification Ovins et Caprins
  At: BP 540, 21959 Plérin Cedex
  Tel: 02 96 79 22 26
  Fax: 02 96 79 21 70
• GDS Bretagne

Limousin

• EDE Haute Vienne, Chambre d'Agriculture
  At: 32 avenue Général Leclerc
  Tel: 05 55 10 71 02
• EDE Creuse, Chambre d'Agriculture
  At: 1 rue Martinet, Guéret
  Tel: 05 55 61 50 10
• EDE Correze, Chambre de l'Agriculture
  At: Immeuble Consulaire, Puy Pinçon, Tulle
  Tel: 05 55 21 55 54

Normandy

• Tel: 02 33 31 48 24
  e-mail

Poitou Charentes

• EDE
  At: BP50017, 86550 Mignaloux Beauvoir
  Tel: 05 49 44 75 56
  Fax: 05 49 44 74 77
  Website

Further information

• Website of the Institut de l'Elevage (in French)
• Information from the French Senate (in French)
• European Council regulation EC no 21/2004