To improve the traceability of livestock, federal regulations require that all swine shown at fairs must have official individual identification. If swine do not have official identification, they may be denied entry to the fair.
To learn more about identification of swine at fairs, select a question below to expand the answer.
What is considered "official identification"?
The following forms of ID are considered "official identification":
- Federally approved eartags;
- Ear notching, if the ear notching has been recorded in the book of record of a purebred registry association, with registry association documentation accompanying the animal; and
- Ear or flank tattoos, for those tattoos recorded in the book of record of a swine registry association, with registry association documentation accompanying the animal.
Federally Approved Eartags
The following are federally approved eartags:
- 840 eartags
- Each tag contains 15 digits and will begin with the numbers 840 (USA country code). The remaining 12 digits on the tag are unique to the individual animal.
- 840 tags come in a variety of shapes (rectangular, round, etc.), sizes and colors, but each is an accepted form of official ID.
- Depending on the size and shape of the tag, additional information may be printed on the bottom of the tag, such as an additional management number for the animal or the producer’s Premise ID number.
- RFID 840 eartags
- Electronic Identification tags, also known as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) eartags, can be used to store and track information through a database using a readable scanner (wand). This provides producers with more options for keeping performance records.
- NUES eartags
- These eartags are often called “silver” or “brite” tags and are a part of the National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES).
- There are metal and plastic versions of these tags.
Why is Premise Identification important?
Premise Identification (Premise ID) is designed to help identify animals to the locations where they were raised or to locations that they passed through during their lives. In the event of an animal health emergency, Premise ID can help animal health officials quickly trace an animal to a location.
How do I obtain a Premise ID number?
To obtain a Premise ID number, contact the office of the State Veterinarian at (850) 410-0900 or complete the Application for Premises Registration[ 
] and submit the document to CattleForms@FDACS.gov.
When registering a Premise ID, the producer’s contact information (name, address, and phone for primary and secondary contacts) will be recorded.
Who is responsible for ensuring that the animal is officially identified, the fair or the exhibitor?
The exhibitor is responsible.
Are there any requirements for keeping records of officially identified animals?
Yes, each person who handles swine in interstate commerce must keep records relating to the transfer of ownership, shipment, or handling of the swine for a minimum of five years.
If the fair officially identifies the animal, is the fair responsible for keeping records?
It depends. If the fair applies official identification registered to the exhibitor, then the exhibitor is responsible for keeping the records. If the fair applies official identification registered to the fair, then the fair it responsible for keeping the records.
Can I still use my fair tags?
Fair tags may be used in any form when accompanied by one of the forms of official identification or they may be used alone if they meet these same requirements.
If the animal has an eartag, can I remove it and use my own?
Official identification eartags are intended to provide permanent identification of livestock and to enable animal health officials to discover the source of animal disease outbreaks. Removal of eartags, including eartags applied to imported animals in their countries of origin and recognized as official by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, is prohibited.
What happens if the animal loses the eartag?
If an animal loses an official eartag and needs a new one, the person applying the new tag must record the following information about the event and maintain the record for five years:
- The date the new tag is applied;
- The official identification number on the tag; and
- The official identification number on the old tag.
