# The Cattle Identification (No. 2) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

S.R. 2026/110 · made 11 June 2026 · revised to 3 July 2026

These Regulations are made in exercise of powers conferred by sections 11 and 22 and paragraph 11M(1), (3) and (8) of Schedule 2 and paragraph 21(b) of Schedule 7 to, the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. They amend the Cattle Identification (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 No. 279 to allow persons responsible for identifying bovines to use electronic eartags as an additional means of identification for cattle in Northern Ireland. The electronic eartag may then be used as an alternative to one of the two conventional eartags in cattle.

Made under: 2018 nia 16 (Section 11, Section 22, Schedule 2 paragraph 11M, Schedule 7 paragraph 21)

PDFs: Printed copy https://openlegislation.uk/cattle-identification-no-2-amendment-regulations-northern-ireland-2026/pdf/nisr_20260110_en.pdf; NI Explanatory Memorandum https://openlegislation.uk/cattle-identification-no-2-amendment-regulations-northern-ireland-2026/pdf/nisrem_20260110_en_001.pdf

## Introductory text

Animals
Made 11th June 2026
Coming into operation 3rd July 2026
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 11 and 22 and paragraph 11M(1), (3) and (8) of Schedule 2 and paragraph 21(b) of Schedule 7 to, the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

## 1 Citation, commencement and interpretation

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Cattle Identification (No. 2) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 and come into operation on 3rd July 2026.
(2) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 applies to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.

## 2 Amendments to the Cattle Identification (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998

(1) The Cattle Identification (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 are amended as follows.
(2) In regulation 2(1), in the definition of “approved eartag”, after “Article 9(1)”, insert “and (3)”.
(3) In regulation 3(1), sub-paragraph (a), after “Article 9(1)”, insert “and (3)”.
(4) After regulation 3, insert—
“Electronic eartags
3A. In accordance with Article 41(1) of the Commission Delegated Regulation, the person responsible for identifying an animal in accordance with Article 38 of that Regulation may replace one of the conventional eartags referred to in Article 38(1)(a) by an electronic eartag approved by the Department in accordance with Article 9(3) of the Commission Implementing Regulation.”.

## Signature

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on 11th June 2026
L.S.
Neal Gartland
A senior officer of the
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

## Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations are made in exercise of powers conferred by sections 11 and 22 and paragraph 11M(1), (3) and (8) of Schedule 2 and paragraph 21(b) of Schedule 7 to, the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. They amend the Cattle Identification (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 No. 279 to allow persons responsible for identifying bovines to use electronic eartags as an additional means of identification for cattle in Northern Ireland. The electronic eartag may then be used as an alternative to one of the two conventional eartags in cattle.
An impact assessment has not been produced for these Regulations as no, or no significant, impact on the private or voluntary sector is foreseen.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2026/110 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/cattle-identification-no-2-amendment-regulations-northern-ireland-2026
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.