Backgrounder

The Canadian Cattle Identification Program is an industry initiated and established trace back system designed for the containment and eradication of animal disease.

September 1, 2006
All Cattle leaving their herd of origin are to 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.

Important Guidelines for Producers

• The CCIA encourages all producers to replace lost tags at every possible intervention.
   
• Tags should be applied according to manufacturer's directions.
   
• If you apply a CCIA tag to an animal that is already tagged, the CCIA requires notification of the cross-referenced numbers.
   
• CCIA tags should never be re-used.
   
• Records of the ID number of re-tagged animals (ie. animals who have lost tags) should be kept along with any known information of where they came from.
   
• CCIA tags should not be removed from an animal that is already tagged unless the number has been retired from the CCIA database as in the case of dead or exported animals.
   
• Please ensure numbers on CCIA approved tags remain visible.
   
• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced a regulatory amendment that requires all cattle to be tagged prior to leaving their farm of origin, including those going to community pasture, exhibition site, test station or veterinary clinic (unless going to an approved tagging site).