Bovine animals are currently identified by two plastic eartags. The Commission is currently exploring the possibility of introducing electronic identification as official method to identify bovine animals within the EU. Electronic identification can contribute to improvements in existing systems of cattle identification.

Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the possibility of introduction of electronic identification for bovine animals - COM/2005/0009

Presentation from the Commission at the Meeting of the Animal Health Advisory Committee (19 May 2008)

In May 2009, the Food Chain Evaluation Consortium (FCEC) carried out an analysis of the technical feasibility and the associated costs of the introduction of Electronic Identification for bovine animals within the legal framework of regulation (EC No 1760/2000). The final report of this study is found here.

From the first of January 2010, sheep and goats already need to be electronically identified. Information about sheep and goats identification can be found here.