Regulation No. 916 on the marking of livestock.

The present Regulation lays down rules regarding the marking of livestock. Its objective is to ensure the traceability of livestock products from the herd of origin and/or from the birth of the animal in question to the sale of the products, thereby laying the foundations of well-targeted controls of foodstuffs and livestock, the monitoring of animal transports, the reporting of animal diseases, and the treatment of such diseases. This Regulation applies to the marking of livestock and to the recording of information about livestock, including in databases. According to Article 4, keepers of livestock are responsible for ensuring that all livestock in their custody are marked within a specified time limit after birth, using an approved mark designed to accompany the animal all its life. Further, the Regulation contains provisions relating to individual livestock species, including cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, poultry, and horses. It also lays down duties and responsibilities of livestock keepers, as well as slaughterhouses and transporters. Annex I contains time limits for recording information, as well as other time limits.