Livestock Tagging Regulations

Cattle 

It is a legal requirement for all cattle to have official ear tags to uniquely identify each animal.

For all cattle born in England and Wales or imported from outside the EU, ear tags must clearly display a:

• crown logo
• country code (UK)
• herd mark
• 6-digit official ear tag number

Guidelines for calves

Beef Calves – you must fit the primary & secondary tags before the calf is 21 days old

Dairy Calves – you must fit the primary tag before the calf is 36 hours old. The secondary must be in place before the calf is 21 days old.

Click here for more information on Cattle Ear Tagging

Sheep

Whether you keep one sheep or goat as a pet, or a commercial herd/flock you need to follow certain rules regarding the identification and movement of your animal.

Animals intended for slaughter before 12 months of age require an EID slaughter batch tag.

Animals that are not intended for slaughter before 12 months of age e.g. breeding sheep, must be double tagged and both bearing the same identification number, one of which must be electronic.

Any sheep losing a tag and being unidentifiable must have double red replacement tags inserted. If you discover an identifier has been lost or damaged, you must replace it within 28 day of noticing that it was lost or damaged.

Click here for more information on Sheep & Goat Ear Tagging

Pigs

All pigs aged 12 months or older must be identified with your official pig herd mark before they leave your holding.

The only exemption is if you’re moving piglets aged 12 months or less between 2 farms which can be identified with a temporary paint mark.

Pigs going to slaughter must use an ear tag capable of surviving the processing of the carcase following slaughter.

Please check with the destination of the pigs as to what kind of tags are acceptable and refer to the conventional tag fitting guide for tagging guidance.

Click here further information on pig identification and movements