Basics
The basic objectives for EU rules on the identification of animals are:
The localisation and tracing of animals for veterinary purposes, which is of crucial importance for the control of infectious diseases
Where applicable, the traceability of meat for animal and public health reasons and the management and supervision of livestock premiums
There are a number of additional benefits to animal identification and traceability. To know more, watch the video.
Languages available: English, Russian, Italiano (Italiano subtitle), English (English subtitle), Espanol, Italiano, Deutsch, Français
Animal traceability is supported by TRACES - Trade Control and Expert System. Follow this link to watch the "TRACES: protecting consumers, facilitating trade" Film.
Detailed provisions are in place defining different systems of identification and registration. Depending on the individual needs of the different species, those systems include several elements like visual or electronic identifiers, registers or passports.
Definitions
Bovine animals (cattle, buffaloes, bison)
Equine animals or "equidae" (horses, donkeys, zebras and their crossings)
Porcine animals (pigs)
Ovine and caprine animals (sheep and goats)