Under EU rules on bovine animal identification, if a keeper of an animal cannot prove its identification within two working days, it must be destroyed without delay under the supervision of the veterinary authorities and without compensation from the competent authority. In this case, the person named has an animal in his herd identified with a tag number that is recorded on the database as having died in his herd in January 2002. Following an investigation and in accordance with the EU rules, he has been asked to provide information on the proper identification of this animal or risk slaughter and destruction of the animal.
The person named has now said that replacement tags, sought in respect of the animal now dead, were inserted by mistake in the animal under investigation. The notice to slaughter the animal will be withdrawn if this new information provides an acceptable identity for the animal now alive. If no alternative identity can be provided the animal must be slaughtered in accordance with EU and national regulations on traceability. On receipt of further information, which distinguishes between the two animals and correctly identifies the animal in question, the case will be reviewed.
