We aim to introduce mandatory Bovine Electronic Identification (BEID) for new born calves.
The implementation of Bovine Electronic Identification (BEID) in Wales is getting closer. This follows publication of the summary of responses to the public consultation on the Implementation of Bovine Electronic Identification (Bovine EID) in Wales.
After thoroughly reviewing all the feedback from the public consultation, we have decided to move forward with the introduction of BEID for newborn calves in Wales, using Low Frequency (LF) technology.
Bovine EID for newborn calves in Wales is expected to be implemented in 2027. Further guidance on Bovine EID tag requirements will be issued in due course. We recommend you only order enough conventional tags to cover calves expected in 2026.
For more information, please see the frequently asked questions below.
Why are we implementing Bovine EID in Wales?
Bovine EID is being introduced in Wales to improve cattle traceability, enhance disease control, and support public and animal health. It reduces recording errors, streamlines operations at key points like farms and abattoirs, and improves welfare by allowing tags to be read without restraining animals.
Do I have to use Bovine EID tags?
Official Bovine EID tags are not expected to become mandatory until 2027 for identifying calves born after a set date.
When will I be able to buy official Bovine EID tags?
Cattle keepers will be given at least 12 months’ notice before the tags become mandatory for identifying newborn calves.
Can I use up my current cattle tag stocks?
You can keep using your current tags until Bovine EID becomes mandatory for calves born after a set date. Please only order what you’ll need to use over the next 12 months.
Can I use any tag type for the Bovine EID tag?
Yes, Bovine EID tags can be flag, button, or metal tag types.
What are the cattle numbering changes planned for Bovine EID implementation?
Cattle numbering for Bovine EID will follow the sheep format, starting at 70,000. Key changes include switching the country code from UK to GB, adding a ‘0’ prefix to retain herd numbers, and removing the check digit.
| C | C | C | S | H | H | H | H | H | H | A | A | A | A | A | |
| Visual Tag | G | B | 0 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Microchip | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| (C = Country code, S = Series number, H = Herd number and A = Animal number) | |||||||||||||||
Will I have to retag my existing herd?
There are currently no plans to retag existing cattle. However, we’re working with the industry to explore future options for extending Bovine EID to all cattle in GB.
How much will official Bovine EID tags cost?
There’s currently no confirmed prices for official Bovine EID tags in Wales, but they are expected to cost more than the current visual-only tags due to the added EID functionality.
Will I have to buy EID readers and electronically read cattle on my farm?
You won’t need to read EID tags on your farm, markets and abattoirs will do that. But you can choose to buy readers if they’d help with managing your herd.
If I’m already using LF Bovine EID management tags in my cattle, what do I need to do?
You don’t need to do anything. You can keep using your current management EID tags alongside the official ones for newborn calves. Just note that management tags use different chip numbers and need a ‘tag bucket’ to link them to the official ID.
Will the official Bovine EID tags be WYSIWYG?
Yes, official Bovine EID tags will be WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get). What’s printed on the tag will match the number in the chip and you won’t need a ‘tag bucket’ to link numbers.
I have cattle on land I farm in Wales and England, will Bovine EID be introduced at the same time in both countries?
We’re working closely with Defra to try and align the rollout of Bovine EID in Wales and England, where possible.
Low Frequency (LF) technology has been agreed for official Bovine EID tags in Wales, but can I use an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) tag as well?
Yes, UHF EID tags can be applied as a management tag to newborn calves in Wales.
If I buy cattle from Scotland and they have official UHF Bovine EID tags applied, what should I do?
If you buy cattle from Scotland with UHF EID tags, you can still use them. The tag will show the official ID number, which can be read visually, but UHF EID won’t be recognised as official ID in Wales.
Are you still going to be issuing paper cattle passports?
Yes, paper cattle passports will still be issued for now. In future, they may be phased out once most cattle in Wales have Bovine EID tags, but this will need agreement across Great Britain.
Bovine EID has been talked about since sheep EID was introduced, what has taken so long to introduce it in Wales?
Bovine EID has taken time to introduce because the UK’s traceability systems couldn’t support the new numbering format. In Wales, we’re developing EIDCymru into a new multi-species database to replace CTS and BCMS for Welsh cattle keepers. We plan to roll out Bovine EID once the transition from BCMS to EIDCymru is complete.
Scotland already uses ScotEID for all livestock, and England is working on its own LIS multi-species system.