The Bovine ear tag:
Each bovine animal is identified with a unique number by means of two ear tags. Each ear tag bears the following information:
- The two-letter country code for Malta – MT;
- The Maltese logo;
- A bar code;
- A seven digit number, of which the seventh digit is a check number.
Female side of Bovine ear tag
(62 mm × 71mm) YELLOW |
Male side of Bovine ear tag
(62 mm × 71mm) YELLOW |
|---|
Regulation and
Control of animal identification:
All measures are taken according to the Subsidiary Legislation 437.84, REGULATION (EC) No 1760/2000 and REGULATION (EC) No 911/2004.
All MDP Producers adopted the new simplification measures, were they are given an amount of new ear tags and they are responsible for the tagging of all new born calves on their farm. The procedures adopted are as linked here.
On the other hand, for producers that have bovine animals but are not MDP producers, a team consisting of Veterinary Support officers are responsible for putting ear tags on the new bovine births after the farmer notifies the Directorate. The new tags are then updated onto the National Livestock Database.
On farm another team composed of
Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Support Officer and/or Assistant Veterinary
Support Officer with a printout list (same list used for sampling and testing
on farm) is in charge of:
- Checking that the animals present on
our list are present on farm
- Verify any eventual incongruence
regarding:
- Age
- Sex
- Breed
- Tampering of Tag
- Missing animal
- Animal not listed
- All incongruence is then reported to
the Control Unit.
Regulation and Control of animal
movement:
All ruminants’ movements must be
authorised by animal health unit.
The farmers make a request for transfer at our offices, the officer checks if there are any issues on both farms and if the request can be accepted, a movement permit is issued.
Movement document:
The Veterinary Regulation Directorate issues a
movement permit document though the National Livestock Database so that one or
more bovine animals may move from one holding to another. This document is
accompanied by a Movement Report Document which is signed by seller and buyer
at the time movement takes place and subsequently will be recorded in the
National Livestock Database.
Birth and Deaths Notification: