Qr Code Era in Bovine Tracking
Official titleRegulation Amending the Regulation on the Identification, Registration and Tracking of Bovine Animals
With the amendment made to the regulation on the identification and tracking of bovine animals, a QR code application has been introduced for ear tags, turquoise has been added as a color option for tags, and the competent authority has been updated as the General Directorate of Livestock.
Before
Only barcode and yellow color usage were available on cattle ear tags, and the authorized body was the Directorate General of Food and Control.
After
In addition to barcodes, QR codes and a turquoise color option were introduced for ear tags, the authority was transferred to the Directorate General of Animal Husbandry, and the use of old ear tags with provincial codes was limited until 31.12.2026.
Details of the Regulation
This regulatory amendment published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry aims to increase digitalization and operational flexibility in the registration and tracking processes of bovine animals. One of the most significant changes made is that, alongside barcodes, the use of QR codes is now permitted on plastic ear tags. Thus, animal tracking can be carried out much faster via mobile devices and digital scanners. In addition, a turquoise color option has been added as an alternative to the existing yellow ear tags. The deadline for using old-type plastic ear tags with province codes on newborn animals has been set as 31 December 2026. On the administrative side, the main competent authority for the identification of bovine animals has been transferred from the General Directorate of Food and Control to the General Directorate of Livestock. For lost or fallen ear tags with province codes, it has been made mandatory to re-print and attach them to the animal with the same unique number.
Questions You Might Have
- Until when can I use the old ear tags with province codes that I have in hand?
- You can use these ear tags for newborn animals until 31 December 2026 at the latest.
- What should I do if the ear tag on my animal falls off, will a new number be assigned?
- No, in place of the fallen tag, a new plastic ear tag containing the same province code and the same unique number will be printed and attached.
- What kind of change has occurred in ear tag colors?
- While the old regulation strictly required the color yellow, the new regulation permits the use of yellow or turquoise ear tags.
Key Terms
- Tescil
- The process of identifying animals by registering them in official systems.
- İl Kodu
- A code similar to a license plate number indicating in which province the ear tag was printed or in which province the animal was registered.
- Karekod (QR Kod)
- A two-dimensional barcode system that can be scanned with mobile devices and quickly transfers animal information to a digital environment.
Affected Sectors
- Livestock farming
- Agriculture
- Food
- Veterinary services
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REGAS Commentary
For producers engaged in livestock farming, animal tracking will now become more practical with QR code technology. The rule requiring lost ear tags to be renewed with the same number will ensure the protection of animal identities. Farmers or dealers with old-type ear tags featuring province codes in stock will be able to use them on newborn cattle until 31 December 2026.