Farmers in Northern Ireland have just days left to finalize a proposal to make electronic identification mandatory for all newborn calves from 2027.
The Department of Agriculture and Agriculture (DAERA) has given final notification that the public consultation on Electronic Cattle Identification (EID) will end on 23 February 2026.
The plan requires all newborn calves to be fitted with an electronic identifier with a unique animal number, but traditional printed identifiers will continue to appear on ear tags.
A phased rollout is proposed, with voluntary bovine EID introduced from mid-2026 first, followed by mandatory requirements for newborn calves at a later stage.
Stakeholders are being asked for their input on how the system will work in practice, including whether EID tags should have a dedicated color and which ear the electronic tag should be worn in.
EID technology allows tags to be read automatically, reducing the need for physical handling, reducing paperwork and reducing the risk of manual recording errors.
DAERA says this has the potential to improve efficiency across farms, livestock markets and processing facilities.
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said: “This consultation is an important opportunity for industry representatives and livestock farmers to decide how to implement mandatory EID for cattle.”
He said the technology was already showing benefits “internationally”, supporting more accurate traceability and improving the efficiency and safety of livestock handling throughout the supply chain.
“Accurate traceability remains central to maintaining Northern Ireland’s reputation for strong disease control, food safety and high animal welfare,” he added.
The consultation also aims to gather feedback on the practical challenges and proportionality of EID implementation, including how it may impact on herd management and tagging routines.
Cattle in Northern Ireland are currently identified using traditional plastic ear tags printed with a unique animal number, which must be read visually and recorded manually.
DAERA said that pending system updates, legislative changes and changes to the Northern Ireland Livestock Information System, voluntary adoption would allow herd keepers keen to use the technology to adopt it sooner.
Electronic identification is already widely used in livestock systems and has been mandatory for sheep in Northern Ireland since 2009, setting a precedent for the cattle sector.
DAERA said stakeholder action is essential to ensure future systems work in the industry.
The consultation will end on February 23rd.
