Section 01 – General Rules
From ICAR Wiki
Method of identification
Rules on animal identification
- The recorded animal identity should be the animal's official identity in the member country and should be unique to that animal.
- Where the identity of an individual animal is not unique, the record must so state (e.g. flock or herd identities for sheep/goats). The identity number used for a flock or herd must be unique to that flock or herd.
- The animal’s identity should be visible to the naked eye, or if not visible (such as an electronic or Radio Frequency Identity (RFID)) should be cross-referenced to a visible or human readable identity.
- The animal’s identity must remain unique and never be re-used.
- The animal’s identification device/method, must comply with the local or legislative requirements of the country concerned.
- Animals, which lose their identity device or whose identity device becomes disfunctional, must be re-identified wherever possible, with their original number, provided there is evidence that the animal is being correctly identified. Where it is not possible to re-apply the original identity, a cross reference to the original number must be maintained).
Methods of animal identification
- The animal’s identity number may be attached to or implanted in the animal by a tag, tattoo, brand or electronic device. The animal’s identify may be supplemented with a sketch or photo.
- Animals moving from one country to another should wherever possible, continue to be identified using the identity (and name where applicable) from the country of origin, providing that identity remains compliant with legislation in the importing country.
- In the case of imported animals, where local or national legislation of the importing country requires the original identity to be changed or replaced, the official records should also hold the original identity and name. The original identity and name should also be quoted in addition to the replacement identity in Export Certificates and also in AI Catalogues or catalogues of important international shows and sales.
Record of identification methods
- The member organisation must maintain a record of the identification methods used in the countries in which it operates.
- The member organisation must determine, within the constraints of local or national legislation within the country or countries in which it operates, the identification methods used on recorded animals and herds or flocks.
Standards for animal identities
- Specific guidelines for use in data exchange for genetic evaluation (Interbull or International Identity) and on printed documents, electronic documents, web pages or any other places where genetic evaluation results may be provided are defined in Section 09.
- Details of standards for Electronic Identification Devices can be found in Section 10.
- Details of the supported standards of animal identification used in electronic exchange of livestock data, particularly between local, on-farm devices and computers, can be found in Section 15.
