Backgrounder - Canada advances system for cattle traceability

Animal identification is a fundamental component of livestock traceability. The ability to identify animals and their origins during an animal health or food safety emergency is critical to the success of the response operation and to the protection of human and animal health.

Requirements for producers

Bar-coded dangle tags have not been available for purchase since 2006 and any existing inventory cannot be applied to animals after July 1, 2010.

Producers should not remove existing bar-coded tags; they should leave the bar-coded tag on the ear and apply a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag to the same animal.

  • Producers must cross-reference the new RFID tag with the existing bar-coded dangle tag in the Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS) to retain the tag data.
  • Cross-referencing the data will mean that all of the events uploaded by the producer against the tag and the history of the animal will be maintained.

If producers need assistance to cross-reference the tags, they can call the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) at 1-877-909-BEEF (2333).

Role of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

The CFIA is responsible for enforcing the identification requirements in Canada as per the Health of Animals Regulations. Violations of any of the requirements may result in disciplinary action such as fines or prosecution.

The CFIA also carries out disease investigations

  • to promote a safe and sustainable animal resource base, and
  • to minimize the public health risks associated with the food supply and the transmission of animal diseases to humans.

Role of the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency

The CCIA was initiated and established by industry and manages the CLTS. This is a trace-back system that provides valuable information for containing and eradicating animal disease. Established in 1998, the CCIA is the administrator of the mandatory national identification program for the cattle industry pursuant to a written agreement with the CFIA.

More information

For more information on Canada’s livestock identification systems, please visit www.canadaid.ca or call 1-877-909-BEEF (2333).

For more information on traceability in Canada, please visit www.inspection.gc.ca or call 1-800-442-2342.

For more information, contact:

Canadian Cattle Identification Agency
Phone: 403-476-1984
Cell: 403-703-5575

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Media Relations: 613-773-6600