THE Livestock Auctioneers' Association is urging all Lancashire farmers and livestock markets to tighten up on sheep tagging to make sure the identity and origin of the animals is known.

And the group has warned that unless farmers adhere to the rules they could face even more stringent regulation at the hands of the European Union when new legislation comes into play next year.

The organisation, which represents 140 markets throughout England and Wales, fears the EU will clamp down on farmers and force them to double-tag sheep and goats - causing greater expense and inconvenience to keepers - unless the UK can persuade the European Commission to grant an exemption.

Executive secretary of the LAA, Chris Dodds said: "New European legislation will require keepers to double tag all breeding sheep born after July 9, 2005, unless the UK is successful in applying for a national exemption."

All sheep must be individually identified within 12 months of birth or before they leave the holding on which they were born, whichever is the sooner. For further moves, all sheep must be identified to show where they have moved from.

Mr Dodds warned: "If animals arrive at market without the appropriate tags, our members will be reminding their customers of the regulations and will advise them that incorrectly identified animals will not be accepted in the future."