DAERA has extended the switchover date when ‘UK' prefix livestock
tags can no longer be used to 30 June 2025.
From that date only ‘XI' prefix tags can be used on newborn
cattle, sheep and goats.
New ‘XI' prefixed livestock tags have been available to purchase
from tag suppliers since 24 June 2024 and can be used from that
date. Existing stocks of ‘UK' tags held by livestock keepers can,
however, continue to be used alongside the new ‘XI' prefix tags
until the switchover date.
A DAERA spokesperson said: “We have listened to concerns raised
by industry that the provisional switchover date of January 2025
was too early and didn't allow livestock keepers sufficient time
to use up stocks of ‘UK' tags. We appreciate the financial impact
on keepers who currently hold large quantities of ‘UK' tags,
which would become obsolete on the switchover date, and we are
therefore pleased to announce an extension of this date until 30
June 2025.”
DAERA continues to recommend, however, that ‘XI' prefixed tags
are applied to all newborn animals, particularly if it is likely
that the animal will be exported in the future, otherwise they
may have to be re-identified prior to export.
Exporters to continental Europe are advised that all livestock
must be identified with the new 'XI' tags prior to their export.
Any such animals previously tagged with 'UK' tags must be
re-identified with ‘XI' tags. For cattle this must be done under
veterinary supervision.
Exporters to Ireland are advised that from 30 June 2025, all
sheep must be identified with the new 'XI' tags prior to their
export. Any such sheep previously tagged with 'UK' tags must be
re-identified with ‘XI' tags. However, cattle identified with
‘UK' tags prior to 30 June 2025 can still be exported to Ireland
after this date without being re-identified with XI tags.
However, for all animals identified in Northern Ireland with ‘UK'
tags prior to 30 June 2025, which are remaining within the UK,
there is no requirement to re-identify any such animals as a
result of the implementation of ‘XI' tags.
Download more information,
including a set of Q&As from the DAERA website.
Notes to editors:
- The change to the prefix code on livestock tags, which is a
legal requirement under EU Animal Health Law, will ensure
continued unfettered access (subject to normal export eligibility
requirements) to both EU and UK internal markets for our
livestock and agri-food products.
- Following the introduction of the new ‘XI' tags on 24 June
2024, the Department is now overseeing the transition of the NI
agriculture industry from identifying animals with ‘UK' prefixed
tags to using ‘XI' prefixed tags for all newborn animals in a
phased way, and there is currently a transition period before the
use of the new code becomes mandatory on 30 June 2025.
- The extension to the transition period, before the final
switchover date on 30 June 2025, means that livestock keepers
will have had a full 12 months to run down stocks of ‘UK' tags,
as only ‘XI' prefix tags have been available to purchase since 24
June 2024.
- Since 24 June 2024:
a. all new cattle tags issued in NI begin with “XI 0”,
replacing “UK 9”. This will allow the whole tag number to be
encoded on electronic identification devices in future.
b. all new sheep tags issued in NI begin with XI 17 replacing
“UK 17”.
