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.
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”.
3. Follow DAERA on X(external link opens in a new window / tab) and Facebook(external link opens in a new window / tab).
4. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or telephone: 028 9016 3460.
5. 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.
