DAERA: Final days to share views on mandatory EID for calves

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has issued a final call for views on mandatory electronic identification (EID) for calves.

A public consultation is currently open on the proposals that would require all newborn calves to be fitted with an electronic identifier carrying the animal’s unique identification number.

The traditional printed number would continue to appear on the pair of tags.

The closing date for submissions is Monday, February 23, 2026.

EID

Stakeholders are being asked for their opinions on the implementation of EID including the potential use of a dedicated colour for EID tags and which ear the electronic tag should be positioned in.

A phased approach is being proposed, with voluntary bovine EID being introduced first from mid-2026.

Subject to a favourable response to the consultation, the department said mandatory EID could then be introduced for newborn calves at some point during 2027.

According to DAERA, EID technology enables automatic tag reading, helping to reduce the need for physical handling, remove the risk of manual recording errors, and enhance operational efficiency for farms, markets and processing facilities.

DAERA

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir the consultation “offers an important opportunity for industry representatives and livestock keepers to help shape how mandatory bovine EID could be implemented”.

He has strongly urged anyone who has not yet responded to share their views.

“EID technology has already shown clear benefits in other sectors and internationally, supporting more accurate traceability, reducing tag reading errors, and improving the efficiency and safety of livestock handling throughout the supply chain,” he said.

“Accurate traceability remains central to strong disease control, food safety and maintaining Northern Ireland’s high animal welfare reputation,” he said.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir

Minister Muir said that stakeholder feedback “will help ensure that the introduction of bovine EID is practical, proportionate and genuinely beneficial across the industry”.

Cattle in Northern Ireland are currently identified for traceability purposes using conventional plastic ear tags.

It has been mandatory in Northern Ireland to electronically identify sheep since December 31, 2009.

The consultation document along with details on how to respond are available from the DAERA website.

.editor-styles-wrapper .wp-block-acf-related-stories-block {
max-width: 960px !important;
background-color: var(–color-gray-default);
padding-inline: 40px;
padding-top: 8px !important;
padding-bottom: 20px !important;
}