NORTH Yorkshire trading standards officers are offering advice about new rules that call for ear tags or tattoos for all sheep and goats born in England this year.

They cannot be moved off the farm without such identification, to make it easier to trace animals for disease control.

"I appreciate the new rules are yet another burden on already stretched resources but if we are to regain complete public confidence it is a necessary step," said North Yorkshire County Council's head of trading standards and regulatory services, Stuart Pudney. For more information or advice, telephone (01423) 560365.