Cattle farmers in England will need to use electronic ear tags for all newborn calves starting in 2027, as part of new rules announced by the UK government on Monday, June 3. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says the changes will make it easier to track animals and respond to disease outbreaks. Electronic ID (EID) tags use low frequency technology that can be scanned automatically, replacing the need to read and manually record tag numbers.
The new system will roll out over two years, starting in summer 2026. The electronic tags will help officials trace cattle movements faster and more accurately during disease outbreaks. This matters because quick response times can prevent diseases from spreading between farms and protect the rural economy.
Farmers will also get a simpler reporting system that works better for markets, slaughterhouses, and government inspectors. The changes follow a recent £200 million investment in research labs at Weybridge and new free annual vet visits for livestock farmers to check for diseases and get biosecurity advice.
Biosecurity Minister Baroness Hayman said the reforms “strike the right balance in supporting farmers with clearer, simpler rules while helping the sector strengthen its productivity, resilience and global competitiveness.” UK Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Christine Middlemiss called electronic identification “a game-changer for disease traceability.”
The changes bring England in line with global best practices and should help reduce trade barriers following the recent UK-European Union (EU) deal. Defra says the new approach will also mean less red tape, with farmers getting chances to fix problems before facing penalties.
