Tracker entry M23: Wales: bovine EID for newborn calves
Planned
UK (Wales)
Next date
Earliest expected start; keepers to get at least 12 months' notice
- Region
- UK
- Sector
- Livestock
- Imposed by
- Welsh Government
- Applies to
- Cattle keepers in Wales
- Technology
- RFID required (LF)
What the rule requires
Wales will require low-frequency EID ear tags on newborn calves, using the same LF technology as sheep EID, and aims to align with England. Tag technical specifications and the start date are still to be published, so suppliers should not plan on a firm Welsh date yet.
Status: Confirmed policy; start date not set, not before 2027, at least 12 months' notice promised
What it means for RFID
Wales has confirmed a low-frequency (LF) RFID requirement for cattle: newborn calves will need LF electronic identification (EID) ear tags, using the same LF technology as sheep EID. That points to demand for LF bovine ear tags from cattle keepers in Wales, and the policy aims to align with England.
The Welsh Government confirmed the policy on 28 October 2025 after consultation, but the tag technical specifications and the start date have not been published. The earliest expected start is 2027 and keepers are to get at least 12 months' notice, so that notice is the next thing for tag suppliers to watch.
Timeline
- Welsh Government confirms LF bovine EID for newborn calves after consultation
- Earliest expected start; keepers to get at least 12 months' notice
Sources
Official source: Welsh Government
Last checked against the official source on 1 November 2026.
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