Identity marking and registration of animals

Identity marking and registration of animals is necessary for tracking the foodstuff originating from the animal from the field to the table. For the consumer to be assured of the safety of the product, food production must be transparent and it must be possible to trace the product to its origin.

Also in cases of outbreak of veterinary diseases, it is essential to know where each animal has been, so that animals likely to have been infected can be traced and isolated from other animals.

For bovines, pigs, sheep and goats, there are species-specific directions on identity marking and registration. Fish farms must register in the Aquaculture Register.

Furthermore, any person commercially buying or selling bovine animals, pigs, sheep or goats must register in the Livestock Agency Register. The notice of registration must be submitted to the State Provincial Office in whose area the livestock agent mostly operates.

The identity marking and registration are monitored by Employment and Economic Development Centre inspectors, inspecting veterinary surgeons, and municipal veterinary surgeons.

Since the beginning of 2005, appropriate identity marking and registration of livestock has been a condition of payment of agricultural subsidies.