Identification and traceability – Guide for operators of livestock sites

Download a printable version of livestock traceability requirements for abattoirs – PDF (145 kb)

Refer to general requirements to identify your premises and animals.

New The identification of premises where animals are kept or collected, the identification of goats and cervids and the domestic movement reporting of all ruminants (cattle, bison, sheep, goats and cervids) are the key changes in the proposed regulatory amendments.

Ensure the animals are identified

Animals must be identified with an approved indicator^Footnote 1 when they arrive at your site.

You must maintain the ability to identify the animal carcass at the abattoir until any sampling of the carcass has been completed and the carcass is either approved for human consumption or condemned.

Loss of approved indicators

If an animal arrives at the abattoir without an approved indicator:

• you must apply an approved indicator^Footnote 1 as soon as it arrives at your site, if the animal is not being slaughtered at the abattoir
  • the new approved indicator must be assigned to your site

If an animal loses an approved indicator on site:

• you must apply a new approved indicator^Footnote 1 as soon as the loss of the approved indicator is noted, if the animal is not being slaughtered at the abattoir

Report the application of the approved indicator within 7 days of application of the new indicator.

When applying an approved indicator to an animal, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The identification number of the new approved indicator
• If known, the identification number of the approved indicators^{Footnote 2Footnote 3} previously applied
• The premises identification number of the abattoir
• If known, the premises identification number of the departure site
• If applicable, the license plate number or conveyance identification

Arrival of ruminants to the abattoir

Report the arrival of ruminants and carcasses within 7 days of slaughter or within 7 days of arrival of the carcass.

As the operator of an abattoir, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The premises identification number of the departure site (provided by transporter)
• The premises identification number of the abattoir
• The date of the ruminants death or slaughter
• The identification number on the approved indicators^{Footnote 2Footnote 3}
• The species and number of animals of each species that arrived, if the ruminants are identified with a herd mark indicator

You must also report the following information to the responsible administrator or keep a record of:

• the date and time the ruminants left the departure site (provided by transporter)
• the license plate number or conveyance identification (provided by transporter)

Report the arrival of ruminants without an approved indicator, within 7 days of slaughter.

Ruminants that do not bear an approved indicator when they arrive at the abattoir are not required to have a new indicator applied to them if they are being slaughtered at the abattoir and the above information is reported or recorded as required, along with:

• if known, the identification number of the approved indicator that was lost and the identification numbers of previously applied indicators^{Footnote 2Footnote 3}
• if applicable, the species and number of animals that arrived

You must apply an approved indicator^Footnote 1 to a ruminant that arrives at the abattoir without one if they are not being slaughtered at the abattoir.

Arrival of pigs to the abattoir

Report the arrival of pigs and carcasses within 7 days of slaughter or within 7 days of arrival of the carcass.

As the operator of an abattoir, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The premises identification number of the departure site (provided by transporter)
• The premises identification number of the abattoir
• The date and time the pigs left the departure site (provided by transporter)
• The date of the pigs death or slaughter
• The identification number on the approved indicators^Footnote 2
• The species and number of pigs and carcasses that arrived at the abattoir, if the pigs are identified with a herd mark indicator
• The license plate number or conveyance identification (provided by transporter)

Report the arrival of pigs or carcasses without an approved indicator, within 7 days of slaughter.

Pigs that do not bear an approved indicator when they arrive at the abattoir are not required to have a new indicator applied to them if they are being slaughtered at the abattoir and the above information is reported, along with:

• if known, the identification number of the approved indicator that was lost and the identification numbers of previously applied indicators^Footnote 2
• if applicable, the species and number of animals that arrived

You must apply an approved indicator to a pig that arrives at the abattoir without one if they are not being slaughtered at the abattoir.

Departure of pig carcasses (dead stock)

Report the departure of pig carcasses within 7 days of departure.

As the operator of an abattoir, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The premises identification number of the abattoir
• The premises identification number of the destination site
• The date the pig carcasses left the abattoir
• The number of pig carcasses that left the abattoir, or their weight
• The license plate number or conveyance identification

You are not required to report the identification number of approved indicators on pig carcasses.

Departure of live animals from the abattoir

Report the departure of live animals within 7 days of departure.

As the operator of an abattoir, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The premises identification number of the abattoir
• The premises identification number of the destination site
• The date and time the animals left the abattoir
• The identification number on the approved indicators^{Footnote 2Footnote 3}
• The license plate number or conveyance identification

Movement of live animals between the abattoir and a temporary site

Report the movement of animals to and from a temporary site^Footnote 4 within 7 days of the movement.

As the operator of an abattoir, if animals are moved to a temporary site^Footnote 4, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator within 7 days of their departure from the abattoir:

• The premises identification number of the temporary site
• The premises identification number of the abattoir
• The date and time the animals left the abattoir
• The species and number of animals of each species that left the abattoir
• The license plate number or conveyance identification

As they move back to the abattoir, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator within 7 days of their slaughter:

• The species and number of animals of each species that returned to the abattoir

This unique reporting requirement is in addition to the requirements described above under "Arrival of ruminants to the abattoir" and "Arrival of pigs to the abattoir", but in lieu of the requirements described above under "Departure of live animals from the abattoir".

Prohibitions

It is prohibited to:

• remove or cause the removal of a ruminant or ruminant carcass from an abattoir unless it bears an approved indicator^Footnote 1
• remove or cause the removal of a pig from an abattoir unless it bears an approved indicator
• apply an approved indicator to an animal or a carcass that is not at the site for which the indicator was assigned
• apply an indicator approved for a species to an animal or the carcass of an animal of a different species
• transfer an approved indicator from an animal or its carcass to another animal or carcass, or reuse an approved indicator
• apply, make, sell, or provide a means of identifying animals or carcasses that is likely to be mistaken for an approved indicator
• remove^Footnote 5 an approved or revoked indicator from an animal or its carcass, except at the time and place of disposal of the carcass
• alter an approved indicator in any manner
• give, sell or distribute approved indicators assigned for your site

Download a printable version of livestock traceability requirements for assembly points – PDF (144 kb)

Assembly point: an auction market, assembly yard or other site where animals are temporarily collected to be sold or redirected to another site, but does not include an abattoir, farm, feedlot, community pasture, fairground, artificial insemination unit, zoo or the site of an event such as a rodeo or exhibition.

Approved identification site: Only assembly points are eligible to be approved identification sites. Bison and cattle that may cause serious injury to any person who attempts to identify it can be transported to an approved identification site in order to be safely identified with an approved indicator.

Refer to general requirements to identify your premises and animals.

New The identification of premises where animals are kept or collected, the identification of goats and cervids and the domestic movement reporting of all ruminants (cattle, bison, sheep, goats and cervids) are the key changes in the proposed regulatory amendments.

Ensure the animals are identified

Animals must be identified with an approved indicator^Footnote 1 when they arrive at your site.

Arrival of animals at the assembly point

Report the arrival of animals within 7 days of arrival.

As the operator of an assembly point, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The premises identification number of the departure site (provided by transporter)
• The premises identification number of your site
• The date and time the animals left the departure site (provided by transporter)
• The date and time the animals arrived at your site
• The species and number of animals of each species that arrived at your site
• The license plate number or conveyance identification (provided by transporter)

You are not required to report the identification number of the approved indicators on the animals at arrival.

Loss of approved indicators

If an animal arrives without an approved indicator:

• you must apply an approved indicator^Footnote 1 as soon as it arrives at your site
  • the new approved indicator must be assigned to your site (see exemption below for approved identification sites)

If an animal loses an approved indicator on site:

• you must apply a new approved indicator^Footnote 1 as soon as the loss of the approved indicator is noted

Report the application of the approved indicator within 7 days of application of the new indicator.

When applying an approved indicator to an animal, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The identification number of the new approved indicator
• If known, the identification number of the approved indicators^{Footnote 2Footnote 3} previously applied
• The premises identification number of your site
• If known, the premises identification number of the departure site
• If applicable, the license plate number or conveyance identification

Disposal of ruminant carcasses at the assembly point

Ruminant carcasses must be identified with an approved indicator if you move them off site for disposal.

Report the disposal of ruminant carcasses on site within 7 days of disposal.

When disposing of ruminant carcasses on site, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The premises identification number of the site where the carcass was disposed of
• The date on which the carcass was disposed of
• The identification number on the approved indicators^{Footnote 2Footnote 3}

Departure of pigs and pig carcasses from the assembly point

Report the departure of live pigs and pig carcasses within 7 days of departure.

As the operator of an assembly point, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The premises identification number of your site
• The premises identification number of the destination site
• The date and time the live pigs left your site
• The number of live pigs that left your site
• The date the pig carcasses left your site
• The number of pig carcasses that left your site, or their weight
• In the event that you applied approved indicators at your site, the identification number on the approved indicators^Footnote 2 applied to live pigs
• The license plate number or conveyance identification

You are not required to report the identification number of the approved indicators on pig carcasses.

Approved identification sites (bison and cattle only)

The operator of an assembly point can apply to have its site recognized as an approved identification site for bison and cattle.

Contact your responsible administrator for more information.

Animals must be identified with an approved indicator as soon as they arrive at the approved identification site and before they are mixed with other animals. The approved indicator must be assigned to the farm of origin.

Report the identification of the animals within 7 days of application of the approved indicator.

As the operator of an approved identification site, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The identification number of the approved indicator
• The premises identification number of the departure site
• The premises identification number of the approved identification site
• The date the approved indicator was applied

Prohibitions

It is prohibited to:

• remove or cause the removal of a ruminant or ruminant carcass from an assembly point unless it bears an approved indicator^Footnote 1
• remove or cause the removal of a pig from an assembly point unless it bears an approved indicator
• apply an approved indicator to an animal or a carcass that is not at the site for which the indicator was assigned
• apply an indicator approved for a species to an animal or the carcass of an animal of a different species
• transfer an approved indicator from an animal or its carcass to another animal or carcass, or reuse an approved indicator
• apply, make, sell, or provide a means of identifying animals or carcasses that is likely to be mistaken for an approved indicator
• remove^Footnote 5 an approved or revoked indicator from an animal or its carcass, except at the time and place of disposal of the carcass
• alter an approved indicator in any manner
• give, sell or distribute approved indicators assigned for your site

Download a printable version of livestock traceability requirements for community pastures – PDF (127 kb)

Community pasture: a pasture that is managed by or leased from the Government of Canada, a provincial government or a municipality, or that is owned by, managed by or leased from a community pasture association, grazing association or a grazing cooperative and where animals from more than one operator of a farm are assembled and commingled.

Refer to general requirements to identify your premises and animals.

New The identification of premises where animals are kept or collected, the identification of goats and cervids and the domestic movement reporting of all ruminants (cattle, bison, sheep, goats and cervids) are the key changes in the proposed regulatory amendments.

Operators of community pastures

Premises identification is the responsibility of the operator of the community pasture.

Movement of animals to a community pasture

The operator of a community pasture is not required to report the arrival or the departure of the animals.

Disposal of ruminant carcasses at community pastures

Ruminant carcasses must be identified with an approved indicator if you move them off site for disposal.

Report the disposal of ruminant carcasses on site within 7 days of disposal.

When disposing of ruminant carcasses at the community pasture, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The premises identification number of the site where the carcass was disposed of
• The date on which the carcass was disposed of
• The identification number on the approved indicators^{Footnote 2Footnote 3}

Users of community pastures

Identify the animals

Animals must be identified with an approved indicator^Footnote 1 before they are moved to a community pasture.

Movement of animals to a community pasture

Users of community pastures must report both move-out from their farm and move-in when their animals return.

Report the departure of the animals within 7 days of departure.

The operator of the farm from which animals are moved must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The premises identification number of the farm
• The premises identification number of the community pasture
• The date the animals left the farm
• The species and number of animals of each species that left the farm
• The license plate number or conveyance identification

Report the return of the animals within 7 days of arrival.

The operator of the farm to which the animals are returning must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The premises identification number of the community pasture
• The premises identification number of the farm
• The date the animals left the community pasture
• The species and number of animals of each species that returned to the farm
• The license plate number or conveyance identification

Loss of approved indicators

An approved indicator^Footnote 1 must be applied to an animal that has lost its approved indicator at the community pasture, as soon as the loss of the approved indicator is noted.

The application of the approved indicator must be reported within 7 days of application of the new indicator.

When an approved indicator is applied to an animal, the following information must be reported to the responsible administrator:

• The identification number of the new approved indicator
• If known, the identification number of the approved indicators^{Footnote 2Footnote 3} previously applied
• The premises identification number of the community pasture
• If known, the premises identification number of the departure site
• If applicable, the license plate number or conveyance identification

Prohibitions

It is prohibited to:

• remove or cause the removal of a ruminant or ruminant carcass from a community pasture unless it bears an approved indicator^Footnote 1
• remove or cause the removal of a pig from a community pasture unless it bears an approved indicator
• apply an approved indicator to an animal or a carcass that is not at the site for which the indicator was assigned
• apply an indicator approved for a species to an animal or the carcass of an animal of a different species
• transfer an approved indicator from an animal or its carcass to another animal or carcass, or reuse an approved indicator
• apply, make, sell, or provide a means of identifying animals or carcasses that is likely to be mistaken for an approved indicator
• remove^Footnote 5 an approved or revoked indicator from an animal or its carcass, except at the time and place of disposal of the carcass
• alter an approved indicator in any manner
• give, sell or distribute approved indicators assigned for your site

Download a printable version of livestock traceability requirements for sites such as fairs, exhibitions, or veterinary hospitals – PDF (128 kb)

Unless otherwise stated, any other site that is not a farm, abattoir, assembly point, community pasture, feedlot, or rendering plant shall fall under this category.

Refer to general requirements to identify your premises and animals.

New The identification of premises where animals are kept or collected, the identification of goats and cervids and the domestic movement reporting of all ruminants (cattle, bison, sheep, goats and cervids) are the key changes in the proposed regulatory amendments.

Ensure the animals are identified

Animals must be identified with an approved indicator^Footnote 1 when they arrive at your site.

In the event an animal is born at a veterinary hospital, it may be moved to a farm in order to be identified with an approved indicator.

Arrival of animals to sites such as fairs, exhibitions or veterinary hospitals

Report the arrival of animals within 7 days of arrival.

As the operator of a site such as a fair, an exhibition or a veterinary hospital, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The premises identification number of the departure site (provided by transporter)
• The premises identification number of your site
• The date and time the animals left the departure site (provided by transporter)
• The date and time the animals arrived at your site
• The identification number on the approved indicators^{Footnote 2Footnote 3}
• The license plate number or conveyance identification (provided by transporter)
• If applicable, the number of pigs that arrived at your site

Loss of approved indicators

If an animal arrives without an approved indicator:

• you must apply an approved indicator^Footnote 1 as soon as it arrives at your site
  • the new approved indicator must be assigned to your site

If an animal loses an approved indicator on site:

• you must apply a new approved indicator^Footnote 1 as soon as the loss of the approved indicator is noted

Report the application of the approved indicator within 7 days of application of the new indicator.

When applying an approved indicator to an animal, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The identification number of the new approved indicator
• If known, the identification number of the approved indicators^{Footnote 2Footnote 3} previously applied
• The premises identification number of your site
• If known, the premises identification number of the departure site
• If applicable, the license plate number or conveyance identification

Disposal of ruminant carcasses at sites such as fairs, exhibitions or veterinary hospitals

Ruminant carcasses must be identified with an approved indicator if you move them off site for disposal.

Report the disposal of ruminant carcasses on site within 7 days of disposal.

When disposing of ruminant carcasses on site, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The premises identification number of the site where the carcass was disposed of
• The date on which the carcass was disposed of
• The identification number on the approved indicators^{Footnote 2Footnote 3}

Departure of pigs and pig carcasses from sites such as fairs, exhibitions or veterinary hospitals

Report the departure of live pigs and pig carcasses within 7 days of departure.

As the operator of a site such as a fair, an exhibition or a veterinary hospital, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The premises identification number of your site
• The premises identification number of the destination site
• The date and time the live pigs left your site
• The number of live pigs that left your site
• The date the pig carcasses left your site
• The number of pig carcasses that left your site, or their weight
• In the event that you applied approved indicators, the identification number on the approved indicators^Footnote 2 applied to live pigs
• The license plate number or conveyance identification

You are not required to report the identification number of the approved indicators on pig carcasses.

Prohibitions

It is prohibited to:

• remove or cause the removal of a ruminant or ruminant carcass from a site such as a fair, an exhibition or a veterinary hospital unless it bears an approved indicator^Footnote 1, except for an animal born at a veterinary hospital moved to a farm
• remove or cause the removal of a pig from a site such as a fair, an exhibition or a veterinary hospital unless it bears an approved indicator, except for an animal born at a veterinary hospital moved to a farm
• apply an approved indicator to an animal or a carcass that is not at the site for which the indicator was assigned
• apply an indicator approved for a species to an animal or the carcass of an animal of a different species
• transfer an approved indicator from an animal or its carcass to another animal or carcass, or reuse an approved indicator
• apply, make, sell, or provide a means of identifying animals or carcasses that is likely to be mistaken for an approved indicator
• remove^Footnote 5 an approved or revoked indicator from an animal or its carcass, except at the time and place of disposal of the carcass
• alter an approved indicator in any manner
• give, sell or distribute approved indicators assigned for your site

Download a printable version of livestock traceability requirements for feedlots – PDF (125 kb)

Refer to general requirements to identify your premises and animals.

Requirements addressed in this feedlot guidance only apply to ruminants.

New The identification of premises where animals are kept or collected, the identification of goats and cervids and the domestic movement reporting of all ruminants (cattle, bison, sheep, goats and cervids) are the key changes in the proposed regulatory amendments.

Ensure the animals are identified

Animals must be identified with an approved indicator^Footnote 1 when they arrive at your site.

Arrival of animals to feedlots

Report the arrival of animals within 7 days of arrival.

As the operator of a feedlot, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The premises identification number of the departure site (provided by transporter)
• The premises identification number of your site
• The date and time the animals left the departure site (provided by transporter)
• The date and time the animals arrived at your site
• The identification number on the approved indicators^{Footnote 2Footnote 3}
• The license plate number or conveyance identification (provided by transporter)

If you are using reading equipment to read RFID^Footnote 6 approved indicators, and the identification number on an approved indicator is not read by the equipment on the first reading, you are not required to report the identification number^Footnote 7 provided that the terms listed below are met:

• The equipment is listed on the website of a responsible administrator
• You have installed the equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions
• You have maintained the equipment and performed tests to ensure that it functions as intended

Loss of approved indicators

If an animal arrives without an approved indicator:

• you must apply an approved indicator^Footnote 1 as soon as it arrives at your site
  • the new approved indicator must be assigned to your site

If an animal loses an approved indicator on site:

• you must apply a new approved indicator^Footnote 1 as soon as the loss of the approved indicator is noted

Report the application of the approved indicator within 7 days of application of the new indicator.

When applying an approved indicator to an animal, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The identification number of the new approved indicator
• If known, the identification number of the approved indicators^{Footnote 2Footnote 3} previously applied
• The premises identification number of your site
• If known, the premises identification number of the departure site
• If applicable, the license plate number or conveyance identification

Disposal of ruminant carcasses at feedlots

Ruminant carcasses must be identified with an approved indicator if you move them off site for disposal.

Report the disposal of ruminant carcasses on site within 7 days of disposal.

When disposing of ruminant carcasses on site, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The premises identification number of the site where the carcass was disposed of
• The date on which the carcass was disposed of
• The identification number on the approved indicators^{Footnote 2Footnote 3}

Prohibitions

It is prohibited to:

• remove or cause the removal of a ruminant or ruminant carcass from a feedlot unless it bears an approved indicator^Footnote 1
• apply an approved indicator to an animal or a carcass that is not at the site for which the indicator was assigned
• apply an indicator approved for a species to an animal or the carcass of an animal of a different species
• transfer an approved indicator from an animal or its carcass to another animal or carcass, or reuse an approved indicator
• apply, make, sell, or provide a means of identifying animals or carcasses that is likely to be mistaken for an approved indicator
• remove^Footnote 5 an approved or revoked indicator from an animal or its carcass, except at the time and place of disposal of the carcass
• alter an approved indicator in any manner
• give, sell or distribute approved indicators assigned for your site

Download a printable version of livestock traceability requirements for rendering plants and dead stock collection centres – PDF (113 kb)

Refer to general requirements to identify your premises and animals.

New The identification of premises where animals are kept or collected, the identification of goats and cervids and the domestic movement reporting of all ruminants (cattle, bison, sheep, goats and cervids) are the key changes in the proposed regulatory amendments.

Ensure the carcasses are identified

Carcasses must be identified with an approved indicator^Footnote 1 when they arrive at your site.

You must maintain the ability to identify the carcass of a ruminant at your site until any sampling of the carcass has been completed and the carcass is disposed of in accordance with any applicable legislation.

Arrival of animal carcasses

Report the arrival of all carcasses within 7 days of arrival.

As the operator of a rendering plant or dead stock collection centre, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator:

• The premises identification number of the departure site (provided by transporter)
• The premises identification number of your site
• The date and time the carcasses left the departure site (provided by transporter)
• The date and time the animals arrived at your site
• In the case of ruminants, the identification number on the approved indicators^{Footnote 2Footnote 3}
• In the case of pigs, the number of pig carcasses that arrived at your site, or their weight
• The license plate number or conveyance identification (provided by transporter)

If you are receiving ruminant carcasses for disposal on your site, you must report the following information to the responsible administrator within 7 days of disposal:

• The premises identification number of the site where the carcass was disposed of
• The date on which the carcass was disposed of
• The identification number on the approved indicators^{Footnote 2Footnote 3}

Prohibitions

It is prohibited to:

• remove or cause the removal of the carcass of a ruminant from a site unless it bears an approved indicator^Footnote 1
• apply an approved indicator to the carcass of an animal that is not at the site for which the indicator was assigned
• apply an indicator approved for a species to the carcass of an animal of a different species
• transfer an approved indicator from the carcass of an animal to another animal carcass, or reuse an approved indicator
• apply, make, sell, or provide a means of identifying animal carcasses that is likely to be mistaken for an approved indicator
• remove an approved or revoked indicator from the carcass of an animal, except at the time and place of disposal of the carcass
• alter an approved indicator in any manner
• give, sell or distribute approved indicators assigned for your site