Auction Marts

• Encourage your customers to tag their cattle prior to being sold for the good of the beef cattle industry.
   
• Keep a record of origin and destination of untagged shipments of cattle.
   
• Keep a record of the ID number of re-tagged animals, along with any available information about their origin.
   
• CFIA staff have the authority to carry out random checks of cattle on your premises and may request to see your records.
   
• Under no circumstance should a CCIA tag be removed from an animal that is already tagged.
   
• You may apply to become an approved tagging site and/or dealer of tags.

Note:

• The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency is an industry conceived, developed and run organization
   
• The Canadian Cattle Identification Program makes traceback and containment of serious animal health and food safety problems faster and more efficient, which helps keep customers buying Canadian beef and cattle.
   
• This program is regulated and enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
   
• As of July 1, 2001 all cattle permanently leaving from any point beyond their herd of origin must be tagged.
   
• After July 1, 2002 monetary penalties will be imposed for untagged cattle.

Important Guidelines for Auction Markets

The Canadian Cattle Identification Program is an industry-led initiative designed to promote beef consumption through assurance of efficient traceback and containment of serious animal health and food safety problems. The program is regulated and enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

September 1, 2006
All cattle leaving their farm of origin must be tagged with a CCIA approved RFID tag.

In order to facilitate the transition to RFID, full enforcement by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will commence December 31, 2007.

Please note: Tampering with and /or cutting out a CCIA approved tag is against regulation. At this time, producers who have bar code tags in animals will need to leave the bar code tag in when applying an RFID tag.  Producers can log onto their accounts at www.clia.livestockid.ca or visit www.canadaid.ca/info for more information on how to cross-reference when two tags are applied on the same animal which ensures all information including any Age Verification information is maintained.

January 1, 2005
CCIA moves to RFID tags ( Radio Frequency Identification).
Bar coded tags will be grandfathered.

NO PERSON SHALL TRANSPORT, OR CAUSE THE TRANSPORTATION OF, RECEIVE, OR CAUSE THE RECEPTION OF, AN ANIMAL THAT DOES NOT BEAR AN APPROVED TAG, except to an approved tagging site

• You may apply to become an approved tagging site, and/or dealer of tags.
   
• 100% compliance is now mandatory and the 5% slippage rate is no longer in effect.
   
• If you are an approved Tagging Facility all untagged animals must be tagged upon arrival.
   
• CFIA staff have the authority to carry out random checks of cattle on your premises and may request to see your records.
   
• CCIA tags must not be removed from an animal unless the number has been retired from the CCIA database as in the case of its death.
   
• CCIA tags must not be re-used. Avoid writing on the tag’s bar code, as this will make it unreadable. Do not use tattoo ink to write on tags as it will cause the tags to curl.
   
• There are many styles, sizes and colours of CCIA tags. All approved tags are recognizable by the registered CCIA trademark.

Livestock Auctions

This information is based on Section 183 (2) of the Canadian Health of Animals Regulations.

The Canadian Cattle Identification Program came into effect January 1, 2001. All cattle in Canada are to be ear tagged with a CCIA-approved ear tag by the time they leave their herd of origin. Beginning July 1, 2001 all cattle are to be tagged prior to moving to a new owner and processors are required to maintain the individual ID number on the tag to the point of carcass inspection. Monetary penalties begin July 1, 2002.

Receiving untagged cattle – No person shall transport, or cause the transportation of , receive, or cause the reception of, an animal that does not bear an approved tag, except to an approved tagging site. The 5% slippage rate is no longer in effect, 100% compliance is now mandatory.

Selling Untagged Cattle – No untagged cattle can be sold through the auction.

Approved Tagging Site – An auction operator may apply to be registered as an approved tagging site and thereafter provide a tagging service. The requirements of an approved tagging site are available in a separate information bulletin and are available from CCIA (1-877-909-BEEF).

Approved Dealer – An auction that wishes to supply approved tags must apply to become a tag dealer. Contact the CCIA or any approved tag manufacturer.

Information For Producers – Printed information for producers is available from CCIA. Contact CCIA (1-877-909-BEEF) to obtain a supply.