Switchover date for new livestock identification tag codes extended

DAERA has extended the switchover date when ‘UK’ prefix livestock tags can no longer be used to 30 June 2025.

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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: 

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. 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. 
3. 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. 
4. 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”.
5. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office at: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk
6. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
7. Follow DAERA on X and Facebook.

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