Tracker entry M40: Argentina: electronic ID for cattle, buffalo and deer (SENASA Res. 841/2025)
Phasing in
Argentina
Next date
in 59 days
No new paper equine health booklets printed
- Region
- Americas
- Sector
- Livestock
- Imposed by
- SENASA
- Applies to
- Cattle keepers
- Technology
- RFID required (LF)
What the rule requires
From 2026 every new calf in Argentina needs an LF RFID device (ear button, rumen bolus or injectable) paired with a visual tag in the other ear, registered in SENASA's system; older animals keep their visual tags unless re-tagged. Horses that move will need injectable chips from 1 March 2027.
Status: In force for calves since 1 Jan 2026; phasing in through each new calf crop; horse microchips due from 1 Mar 2027
What it means for RFID
Argentina's rule is an LF RFID mandate that grows with each calf crop. Since 1 January 2026 calves of cattle, buffalo and deer must carry an electronic device at weaning or before first movement, so demand is for LF ear buttons, rumen boluses and injectables, each paired with a visual tag, rather than for retagging the existing herd. SENASA Resolution 841/2025 sets which devices are approved and the tagging procedure.
Resolution 898/2026, dated 16 October 2026, lets local animal health bodies, foot-and-mouth foundations and other entities distribute, apply and read official ID devices. That widens the channel for tag and reader suppliers beyond keepers themselves.
Equines come next. From 31 December 2026 no new paper equine health booklets are printed, horses that move need injectable transponders from 1 March 2027, and paper booklets stop being valid on 1 January 2028.
Timeline
- SENASA Resolution 841/2025 published, setting approved devices and tagging procedure
- Resolution 530/2025 requires a visual tag plus an electronic device for cattle, buffalo and deer
- Calves must carry an electronic device at weaning or before first movement
- SENASA Resolution 831/2026 published, setting electronic ID for horses and other equines
- SENASA Resolution 898/2026 lets local animal health bodies, foot-and-mouth foundations and other entities distribute, apply and read official ID devices for cattle, buffalo and deer
- No new paper equine health booklets printed
- Equines must carry an injectable transponder
- Paper equine booklets no longer valid; digital records only
Sources
Official source: SENASA
Last checked against the official source on 1 November 2026.
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