Tagging Q&A
1. What animals need to be tagged?
2. What is an official eartag?
3. What is numeric tagging?
4. Can I still obtain replacement tags bearing the alpha-numeric format?
5. What tags do I need to use?
6. What are the deadlines for tagging cattle?
7. What happens if a tag is lost or illegible?
8. Are there likely to be any further changes in tagging rules?
9. Are there any plans for the electronic identification of cattle?
10. Does Defra approve electronic eartags?
11. Will Defra set out requirements for electronic identification devices (identification and readers)?
1. What animals need to be tagged?
All cattle born or imported into Great Britain from 1 January 1998 are required to be double tagged. Animals born in the UK, or imported into the UK from a non-EU country, must have a Defra approved tag put in each ear (not both in the same ear). Animals born after 1 January 1998 and imported from an EU country must be double tagged in their country of origin prior to export.
2. What is an official eartag?
A tag, which may be plastic or metal, which has been approved for sale by Defra. All approved tags will bear an official animal number. For all animals born on or after 1 July 2000, this identification consists of the letters "UK", the herd mark number for the holding of birth, the animal's unique lifetime identification number, and a crown, which is the GB logo required under EU rules. Tags on older animals may be slightly different, but will still bear a unique identity number.
3. What is numeric tagging?
This is the new coding system which appears on cattle ear tags consisting purely of numbers after the Crown logo and the country code "UK". Numeric tags were available from 17 January 2000 and have been compulsory for all animals born or imported into Great Britain from outside the EU after 1 July 2000. Numeric tags have replaced the "alpha-numeric" tags which consisted of letters and numbers.
4. Can I still obtain replacement tags bearing the alpha-numeric format?
Yes.
5. What tags do I need to use?
At least one tag must be a Defra approved primary tag; the other can be a Defra approved secondary tag, or another primary tag. All Defra approved primary tags are yellow plastic, two-piece tags, and distance-readable. The Secondary tag may be of the same type as the primary tag, or alternatively of another type on the Defra approved list. There is no minimum size requirement on secondary tags, so button tags or metal tags may be used as secondary tags.
6. What are the deadlines for tagging cattle?
All cattle must be tagged within 20 days of birth. In the case of dairy herds, the first tag must be inserted within 36 hours of birth. The only exception to this is in the case of bison. Bison are allowed to be tagged up to nine months after birth. In any event, all animals must be tagged before leaving their holding of birth. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
7. What happens if a tag is lost or illegible?
It must be replaced. Lost tags fitted to animals born or imported after 1 January 1998, can only be replaced with a tag bearing the same number, as the animal must retain its unique number for life.
For animals born before 1 January 1998 you may:
- apply a single replacement tag bearing the same number;
- apply a new single tag bearing a new number. With this option the farm records must be amended and the certificate of registration (COR) and (if applicable) passport (CPP1) must be returned to BCMS for amendment; or,
- apply a new set of double tags. With this option, as above, the farm records must be amended and the passport sent to BCMS for amendment. Subsequent replacements must bear the same number.
8. Are there likely to be any further changes in tagging rules?
There are no European Community proposals at present to change the tagging rules again.
9. Are there any plans for the electronic identification of cattle?
The European Community is currently conducting field trials of the various electronic devices on the market. These are scheduled to be completed by 31 December 2001. We do not have plans to introduce compulsory electronic identification of cattle in England before the results of the European trials are available.
10. Does Defra approve electronic eartags?
No. It does however approve secondary tags which contain electronic components. The electronic component is not considered part of the approval.
11. Will Defra set out requirements for electronic identification devices (identification and readers)?
The Government believes it is sensible to await the outcome of the European trials and see what subsequent European rules might be agreed for all Member States before setting out requirements. Meanwhile, Defra is reviewing (with devolved Agriculture Departments) the general UK policy on electronic identification for livestock.
Page published: 15 June 2011