Ear tag

An ear tag is used for official identification and registration of companion animals and livestock. In Germany, all cattle, buffalo, pigs, goats and sheep are to be marked with ear tags.

In cattle and buffalo is attached to each an ear tag on the right and left ear. Since July 2005, this is also true for goats and sheep.

Appearance in the EU

In the European Union, the labeling of the ear tag has been written by Regulation No 2629/97. First, it contains the two-character abbreviation of the Member State in which the establishment is located, in which the animal was first identified. Followed by a maximum of twelve-digit numeric code which uniquely identifies the animal. Furthermore, the name, the code or the logo of the competent authority or the competent central authority of the Member State which has granted the earmark specified. Furthermore, an additional bar code may be applied. The ear tags must be made of flexible plastic, tamper-proof and not be reusable. The rules applicable at the applied information that this must be clearly legible indelible and throughout the lifetime of the animal. As cattle farmers one is obliged in Germany to replace lost ear tags immediately.

Look at the Sami reindeer herders

Reindeer herders in " Lapland " ( correct: Sápmi ) characterize their reindeer traditionally with notches in the ears of the animals. Different combinations of small, large and round notches are cut on the ear top and bottom edges. Both ears have different scoring combinations. The notch pattern are officially registered. This form of identification only allows the assignment to the owner of the animal. The advantage, however clearly that besides a knife no further aid must be used. Recently, however, earmarks are increasingly being used, which are similar to those in the EU.

Application of ear marks

The application of ear- marks is usually performed in the first days of life in order to later prove a precise identification and origin of the animal can. Each cow is given a live ear tag number as identification mark at birth since 28 October 1995.

Wild brands

Wild trademarks are used for identification of wild in some states as earmarks. " In the case of ungulates, intended for the treatment in a rendering plant, carried out the installation of the wild mark on the ear. "