Now that the Canadian Cattle Identification Program’s July 1 tagging
deadline has passed, it is a good time to discuss what is happening in
the field.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is responsible for monitoring the
program and has been out in force at local auction markets since the
deadline passed.
The regulation reads, “No person shall transport or cause the
transportation of an animal that does not bear an approved tag,” but
inspectors will initially be only looking for proof that producers are
Read Also
Topsy-turvy precipitation this year challenges crop predictions
Rainfall can vary dramatically over a short distance. Precipitation maps can’t catch all the deviations, but they do provide a broad perspective.
generally tagging their cattle.
In other words, a certain percentage of missing tags will be allowed.
Inspectors will deem loads to be in full compliance if they have more
than 20 animals and if at least 95 percent of them are tagged. Loads
with less than 20 animals will be allowed one missing tag.
This could be compared to an RCMP officer using individual discretion
when deciding whether to give a speeding ticket.
The big offenders will be targeted first, such as producers who ship
150 calves, none of which are tagged. Inspectors will also not
concentrate – at least at first – on mature bulls and old feeder and
cull cows.
According to the CFIA’s compliance strategy of June 6, 2002: “The
program’s intent will be concentrating enforcement efforts on loads and
groups exhibiting a large proportion of untagged animals.”
Fines of $500 per manifest will be laid for the first offence, which
reduces to $250 if paid within 15 days.
Most producers started tagging calves two years ago when the program
was first initiated. They have a large number of colours to choose from
now that the extra colours have been approved. Herds with multiple
owners using different colours can now be satisfied.
Producers have complained about tags that curl and I have seen this
problem first-hand. Producers must use the ink approved for the
particular brand of tag. Otherwise, contraction of the ink will bend
the tag. They must also remember to keep ink off the number and bar
code so it can be scanned or read when necessary.
Most auction markets are set up as tagging facilities, which means they
can tag animals if necessary. The two auctions we deal with locally ask
producers to pick up their tags from our clinic and they will then
apply them. That reduces the auctions’ paper burden, eliminating
potential mistakes. Of course, the auctions will charge tagging fees,
which vary from $2.50 to $10 a head from quotes I have heard.
Truckers will also be watching, because they should not transport
animals without approved tags. Again, the 95 percent rule applies.
Exceptions will be made for cattle being taken to a veterinary clinic,
test station, exhibition, show or community pasture. Untagged cattle
being shipped to a tagging facility need to be accompanied by the tags.
Truckers and veterinarians should be able to answer specific questions
about the program. The Canadian Cattle Inspection Agency’s toll-free
telephone number is 877-909-2333.
Importers must tag cattle at their first Canadian destination. The 100
percent rule applies to exported cattle. An accredited veterinarian
will record all CCIA tag numbers when certifying cattle for export, and
untagged cattle will be given a CCIA-approved tag that the exporter
must pay for. Exporters must report numbers of all exported cattle to
the CCIA so it can track them.
Veterinarians doing export work are starting to buy scanners that have
a nifty program developed by the CCIA. Descriptions of animals appear
on a menu and the program will sort numbers consecutively, easing the
paper burden. Veterinarians who do any amount of export work should
consider this.
With dead stock, renderers will be recording all numbers and reporting
them in the database.
This program will help improve Canada’s cattle industry. Reasonable
demands by inspectors will hopefully follow with full-scale
implementation by producers.
Roy Lewis is a veterinarian practising in Westlock, Alta.
