UK government issues new guidance for ear tags post-Brexit

The UK government has issued new guidance on changes to ear tags for livestock exports and movements from Great Britain to the EU and Northern Ireland from January 1. The government is encouraging livestock exporters to prepare for new changes that will apply to ear tagging when the transition period ends. Livestock in the UK are currently identified with “UK” ear tags in accordance with the EU’s single market rules. From January 1, 2021, the rules for exports of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs to the EU will change. Exporters from Great Britain will need to ensure their animals are identified with the ISO country code, which is ‘GB’ for the UK. Under the Northern Ireland Protocol, movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland will also need to meet these requirements. The government has been working closely with the farming sector to prepare for these changes, and has published updated guidance setting out the actions GB livestock exporters will need to take to get ready for ...