Replacing a lost ear tag

IF a producer notices that an ear tag on one of his cattle is missing, the ear tag must to be replaced as quickly as possible, Meatco has said.

In case of a visual ear tag being lost, it should be replaced by a blank visual tag, which is available at the ear tag office of the Meat Board or from an ear tag agent, on which the serial number of the lost tag must be written with a permanent marker. This serial number can be copied from the electronic ear tag on which it is also printed. Exemption from this is granted in the case were an animal is directly on its way to slaughter or directly on its way in leaving the country as a live export.If an electronic ear tag is lost, an entire new set must be applied for at the Meat Board and NamLITS must be notified about the replacement. For this purpose ear tag replacement notice forms can be obtained from any Directorate of Veterinary Service (DVS) office and should be completed and submitted to DVS. On the ear tag replacement notice, new ear tag numbers should be filled in to replace the old ear tag numbers. This information will then be entered into the NamLITS system accordingly. The 40/90 days status of the animal will not be affected by replacing the ear tags, and will continue on the new ear tag numbers.