{"id":17238,"date":"2024-09-09T08:39:22","date_gmt":"2024-09-09T08:39:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/?p=17238"},"modified":"2026-05-25T09:31:29","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T09:31:29","slug":"xi-ear-tags","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/xi-ear-tags\/","title":{"rendered":"Northern Ireland \u2018XI\u2019 ear tags"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Farmer Guide<\/div>\n\n

\u2018XI\u2019 livestock tags in Northern Ireland: what farmers need to know<\/h1>\n\n

\n Northern Ireland livestock identification is moving from the \u2018UK\u2019 prefix to the \u2018XI\u2019 prefix for new tags.\n Understanding the change, when it applies, and how it affects registration and exports is essential for staying compliant.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Livestock identification<\/span>\n Northern Ireland<\/span>\n Farm compliance<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\n 1<\/span>\n Newborn livestock must use \u2018XI\u2019 tags from the switchover date<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 2<\/span>\n Older \u2018UK\u2019 tagged animals may still be valid in some cases<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 3<\/span>\n Export rules differ depending on destination and species<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 4<\/span>\n Accurate records help make the transition easier<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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What is changing?<\/h2>\n\n

\n Livestock identification tags in Northern Ireland are moving from the \u2018UK\u2019 prefix to the \u2018XI\u2019 prefix.\n This prefix is a legal requirement under EU animal health law and supports continued access to both the EU and UK internal markets for livestock and agri-food products.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n \u2018XI\u2019 prefix tags have already been made available to order, and from the switchover date all newly born cattle, sheep, and goats must be tagged using the new prefix.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n \u201cThe move to \u2018XI\u2019 tags is designed to support compliance and maintain market access for Northern Ireland livestock and agri-food products.\u201d\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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What does this mean for Northern Ireland farmers?<\/h2>\n\n

\n Farmers need to be prepared to use \u2018XI\u2019 tags for all new livestock born after the change takes effect.\n Animals born and tagged before that date can still carry \u2018UK\u2019 tags, provided they are correctly logged before the switchover.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n However, DAERA recommends using \u2018XI\u2019 tags for newborn animals wherever possible, particularly if there is any chance the animal may be exported in future.\n This can help avoid the need for re-identification later.\n <\/p>\n\n