The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has reminded herd-keepers of important changes to the cattle ear-tag numbering scheme
From 30 September 2008 cattle ear-tags of less than 14 characters may no longer be used for new calves.
In September 2007, DARD announced that all ear-tags would be printed in 14-character format, and that existing stocks of ear-tags with fewer characters could be used for a period of one year only. That period is now coming to an end.
The change was introduced to facilitate the export of cattle for breeding and production to some EU Member States where importers require 14 characters on ear-tags.
Notes to Editors:
- EU legislation has always allowed any number of characters on cattle ear-tags, provided this does not exceed fourteen. However, for commercial reasons, some importers in other EU Member States insisted that ear-tags have 14 characters before they will accept our cattle. In order to facilitate trade, since September 2007, DARD has issued all ear-tags numbers in 14-character format. A period of one year was allowed for existing stocks of ear-tags with less than 14 characters to be used up.
- Under the Cattle Identification (No 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 and the Cattle Identification (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 a herd keeper is responsible for individually identifying each bovine animal in his herd with one approved ear-tag applied to each ear.
- All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, Tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
- Further information is available from the DARD website
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