DAERA is reminding all livestock keepers that from 30 June 2025
only 'XI' prefixed tags can be used to identify newborn cattle,
sheep, and goats.
A DAERA spokesperson said: “Since 24 June 2024, only 'XI'
prefixed tags could be purchased from tag suppliers however,
DAERA facilitated an additional 12-month transitional period for
livestock keepers to use up any stocks of ‘UK' tags that they may
hold.
“As we approach the end of this transitional period on 30 June
2025, livestock keepers are encouraged to use up any remaining
‘UK' tags. From this date, unused ‘UK' prefixed tags will become
obsolete and keepers will not be able to use them to identify
their animals.”
DAERA continues to recommend that 'XI' prefixed tags are applied
to all newborn animals if it is likely that the animal will be
exported to outside the UK in the future. Otherwise, they
may have to be re-identified prior to export.
Animals identified in Northern Ireland with 'UK' tags prior to
the 30 June 2025, which are remaining within the UK, will not
need to be re-identified with 'XI' tags.
Exporters to the Republic of Ireland are reminded that from 30
June 2025, all sheep must be identified with 'XI' tags prior to
their export, including any previously identified with 'UK' tags
with the re-identification being recorded in the flock register.
Keepers may wish to consider identifying all sheep going to
market with ‘XI' tags to ensure they are eligible for purchase
for export. 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.
Exporters to continental Europe are reminded that all livestock
must be identified with '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.
More information on this change, including a set of Q&As, is
available from the DAERA website at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/introduction-identification-registration-and-movement-animals.
Notes to editors:
1. 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.
2. Since 24 June 2024:
• 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.
• all new sheep tags issued in NI begin with XI 17
replacing “UK 17”.
