Final weeks to use remaining stocks of 'UK' prefixed livestock identification tags
Date published:
DAERA is reminding all livestock keepers they have less than four weeks to use any remaining stocks of 'UK' prefixed livestock identification tags that they hold.
From the 30 June 2025 only 'XI' prefixed tags can be used to identify newborn cattle, sheep, and goats.
A DAERA spokesperson said: "DAERA facilitated a 12-month transitional period to allow livestock keepers time to use up stocks of 'UK' prefixed livestock tags. However, this transitional period will end soon and from 30 June 2025, any 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 newborn animals that may be exported to outside the UK in the future. Otherwise, they may have to be reidentified prior to export.
There is no requirement to reidentify animals with 'XI' tags, if identified in Northern Ireland, with 'UK' tags prior to the 30 June 2025, if they will remain in the UK. However, livestock keepers, will need to check the identification requirements for animals destined for the EU, which is available on the DAERA website.
More information on this change, including a set of Q&As, are available on the DAERA website.
