Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Frequently Asked Questions

EID tag costs are set by tag manufacturers and distributors, but typically range between $2.25 and $2.90 per tag.

Producers can purchase official 840 EID tags and tag applicators directly from tag distributors or talk to your local veterinarian. Washington’s accredited veterinarians can obtain regulatory tags and forms from WSDA.
 

NOTE: In order to purchase official 840 EID tags, you must first have a Premises Identification Number (PIN) assigned to your premises.

A Premises Identification Number (PIN) is used to help identify animals. The PIN is a unique number assigned by a federal or state animal health official to a livestock production unit that is epidemiologically distinct from other livestock production units. Registering your premises and obtaining a PIN will provide WSDA and USDA with specific location information that will allow for easier animal tracking and a faster response in the event of an animal disease outbreak, thereby assisting producers if an animal health or food safety issue should ever arise.

No. To order official 840 EID tags, a Premise Identification Number (PIN) is required because tags have to be assigned to a premise to provide traceability. You can obtain a PIN number by visiting the Premises Identification Number page and filling out an on-line application.

Yes. An EID tag applicator that is compatible with the manufacturer's official 840 EID tag would need to be purchased. If the applicator is not compatible, it may cause injury to the animal or destroy the tamperproof tag when applied and compromise tag retention.

The tag should be placed in the animal's ear according to the directions supplied with the tag. Whenever possible, the tag should be placed in the animal's left ear. If the tag is applied in the right ear, care should be taken to avoid the brucellosis tattoo in females. Vaccination tattoos are found in the middle section of the right ear. Proper application is important for tag retention.

No special reader is needed. The front of the official 840 EID tag has a 15-digit number printed on them. However, an electronic reader would make it easier to read and record the numbers accurately and efficiently.

Lost official 840 EID tags can be replaced with a new official 840 EID tag. All secondary identification (i.e.: lost tag, metal tag, farm management tag, etc.) would then need to be paired with the new EID tag number and recorded on all animal health documents.

Yes. RCW 42.56.380(9) provides information protection for ADT information, including animal ownership, numbers of animals, locations, contact information, movements of livestock, financial information, the purchase and sale of livestock, account numbers or unique identifiers issued by government to private entities, and information related to livestock disease or injury that would identify an animal, person or location.

Benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Provides assurance for pre-harvest food safety and security.
• Provides for rapid intrastate and interstate animal tracking for disease control and eradication; reducing the response time and increasing conclusiveness to food borne.
• Allows Washington producers to maintain and/or expand export markets.
• Provides an option for Washington cattle owners to electronically report change of ownership or out of state movement of cattle using Electronic Cattle Transaction Reporting (ECTR).

While hot iron and freeze branding are useful tools for asset protection, relying on a brand for individual animal disease traceability is not feasible because a brand does not provide individual animal identification.

Official 840 EID and a robust ADT system can:

• Provide a better chance of receiving indemnity payment from USDA for lost livestock in the event of a disease outbreak.
• Reduce the time and geographical area quarantined.
• Reduce economic impact of disease containment and recovery.