Pig identification and registration: guidance for keepers

Section 1: Identification

All pigs born on your holding must be identified before leaving the holding of birth. You can identify your pigs by an eartag or a tattoo (either on the ear or a slapmark on the shoulder).

The identifiers:

• eartags - must contain the letters 'UK' followed by your herdmark, for example UK AB1234. They can be made of metal or plastic or a combination of both. However, they must be sufficiently heat-resistant that neither the eartag nor the information printed or stamped on it can be damaged by the processing of the carcase following slaughter
• tattoos - must show your herdmark, the letters 'UK' are optional. A tattoo must be applied by tattoo forceps to the ear of the pig
• slapmark - must show your herdmark or an alpha numeric identifier allocated to you by one of the Scottish marketing or processing groups. (1) A slapmark is an ink-based identifier and must be applied to the shoulder of the pig by a slapper. (2) Alternatively a slapmark can be applied by compressed air, which drives the tattooing pins into the skin of the pig, again this must be to the shoulder
• temporary mark - paint mark on the pig for example a red line, black cross or a blue circle. The temporary mark must last until the pig reaches its destination. This only applies to pigs less than 12 months old and does not apply to pigs moving:

• to a market
• to a slaughterhouse
• for intra-community trade or export
• to a show or exhibition
• for breeding purposes
• to a semen collection centre
• under a walking licence

Categories of identification

Pigs must be identified with an eartag or a tattoo with a unique individual identification number if they are moving:

• to a show or exhibition
• for breeding purposes
• to a semen collection centre; for intra-community trade or export
• under a walking licence

Pigs must be identified with an eartag, tattoo or a slapmark if they are moving:

• to a market
• to a slaughterhouse

Pigs less than 12 months old moving between farms can be identified with a temporary mark. They must be accompanied by a movement document which identifies the holding from which they moved.

Replacement identifiers

If any pig loses its identifier, or it becomes impossible to read, or the identifier has been removed for welfare reasons, then you must replace the identifier. You can apply an identical identification mark or apply a new identification mark and cross-reference the new identification mark with the original identifier in your holding register.

Management information

You may mark your pig with any further information, or add further information to the eartag or tattoo provided that the extra information is shown separately to the official identification.

Pedigree pig keepers

In addition to the statutory identification and registration requirements keepers of pedigree pigs may also wish to register with the British Pig Association or relevant breed society.