Cattle are required to be identified with ear tags giving them a unique identity within the national herd. Those animals born since 1 July 1996 must also be accompanied by a cattle passport confirming the identification details – sex, breed, date of birth, identification of the mother – and recording its movement history.
All cattle must be double tagged with a primary and secondary tag. The primary tag has to be distance readable and therefore a minimum size is required.
All dairy animals must be tagged within 36 hours and all beef animals within 20 days.
Bison must be tagged within 9 months of birth or before weaning, whichever is sooner.
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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.
Pigs can either be tagged or slap marked. The tags must be metal for animals going to slaughter, however plastic tags are suitable for breeding animals.
