‘UK’ prefixed livestock identification tags – ends on 30th June
DAERA has reminded 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: “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 ended 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.
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.
From 30 June 2025, all sheep being exported to the Republic of Ireland 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.
Currently all livestock exported to continental Europe 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.
