The national cattle identification program gets under way Jan. 1. After that date, all Canadian cattle, once they leave their herd of origin, are expected to have tags with a bar code and number entered in the national database.
An October question and answer series in this paper about the cattle identification program generated another query: What are the tagging obligations when a producer puts his cattle into a community pasture?
Cindy McCreath, communications manager with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, provided an information bulletin on the topic.
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It states there are some exemptions to the basic tagging requirement for reasons of practicality.
“If an animal leaves its herd of origin but remains in the owner’s control and will return to the herd of origin, it may not need to be tagged,” says the bulletin.
In the case of community pastures, since the animals normally remain in the ownership of the consignor and will likely return to the herd of origin after the pasture season, it is not necessary that they be tagged if the following pasture conditions are met:
- The pasture manager has registered the pasture with the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency and agrees to keep records of the origin of cattle coming to the pasture.
- These records are made available to CCIA in the event of a Canadian Food Inspection Agency trace-back involving cattle from that pasture.
- If untagged cattle are sold from the community pasture and will not return to the herd of origin, they must be tagged before passing to the new owner.
- CCIA tags must not be removed from cattle that arrive at the pasture already tagged.
Another exemption occurs in the case of livestock shows and exhibitions, said McCreath.
Show animals that will return to their herd of origin after the show do not need a tag if:
- The show manager has registered with CCIA and keeps records of the origin of cattle coming to the show.
- These records are made available to the CFIA in the event of a trace-back.
Animals sold at a show must be tagged by the original owner before going to a new owner. The bulletin also notes that livestock judges are expected to ignore the presence or absence of the national identification tag.
Animals taken to test stations will not need a tag if they are expected to return to their herd of origin.
However, the same restrictions apply regarding test station registration, record-keeping and tagging before transfer to another owner.
Further information on registering a community pasture, livestock show or test station is available by calling 877-909-2333 or by sending e-mail to ccia@cattle.ca.
