Beef Slaughtering Requires Indication and Certificate of Origin Effective July 1, 2014

      In order to implement the Domestic Beef Traceability System, the Council of Agriculture (COA) put into effect the compulsory certificate of origin for cattle slaughtering, which regulates the use of standard ear tag, branding, and certification designated for special use. Slaughtering will not be permitted for cattle without distinct identification and certification.

Compulsory installation of ear tags on beef cattle and pre-slaughtering inspection of registration and certification

  The COA further explained that the Council launched the program of Domestic Beef Traceability System in October, 2012 for the purpose of encouraging the practice of ear tag application. Integrating the joint efforts from cattle farm, slaughter house and retailing stores, the supply chain and information of domestic beef can be transparent to the consumers. Moreover, a clear distinction from the imported beef can also be achieved. In addition, the COA announced on Mar. 26 that effective July 1, all cattle must bear adequate certificates of origin at pre-check before slaughtering. After July, the resident veterinary inspector at slaughter houses will perform inspection on beef cattle ear tags or brandings, as well as the certificates of origin. Any violation or non-compliance will keep the animals out of the slaughter houses.

Provisional ear tags are offered to slaughter houses during the probation period

  The COA stated that in order to prevent most cattle being denied slaughtering due to farmers’ unfamiliarity with the new regulation, the COA marked a probation period before July 15 and offered a batch of provisional ear tags to slaughter houses so that all cattle would meet the regulation requirements. This would avoid the unnecessary conflicts that emerge with the implementation. However, after the conclusion of the probation period, the regulation would be strictly enforced.

Inspection and verification of cattle ear tags will be enhanced to ensure the application of the identification system

The COA also expressed that after July it will send out supervisors on an irregular basis to slaughter houses in order to ensure that the resident veterinary inspectors would have carried out the pre-slaughtering inspection thoroughly. The COA further urged cattle farms, retailers, and suppliers to comply with the new regulation by applying ear tags and offering proper certificate of origin. Only by doing so can the Domestic Beef Traceability System be put into practice and imported beef be differentiated from domestic beef in the market effectively.

(From COA)