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Information about LIS Cattle

In partnership with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), we are introducing new technology to more accurately and quickly trace cattle movements in England. The move to the Livestock Information Service for cattle will modernise traceability services for cattle. This will enable faster, better-informed decisions on controlling disease outbreaks, provide data to help improve animal health and welfare, give further assurances on food safety and facilitate trade.

 

Visit the About LIS Cattle page to find out more.

Information about Bovine Electronic ID

The Livestock Information Service for cattle will enable the future use of Bovine Electronic Identification (BEID). This will be introduced for all newborn calves in England in summer 2027, using low frequency (LF) technology. During this transition to a fully EID cattle population, animal movements will be able be reported using either EID reads, barcode scans from passports or visual reading of tags as it is currently done. As such, there is no need to retag the national herd.

 

Read the FAQs below for more information.

FAQs for LIS Cattle

  • What is the Livestock Information Service (LIS) and how much does it cost to use?

    The Livestock Information Service (LIS) is a UK government funded service which provides a free online platform for reporting livestock movements in England. The LIS sheep service was deployed in March 2022, and it is being re-engineered using new technology to launch the LIS for cattle in Summer 2026. As LIS evolves to become a powerful new multispecies service, it will set the standard for livestock traceability services in England.

  • What is the Livestock Information Transformation Programme (LITP)?

    The Livestock Information Transformation Programme is a Defra change programme set up to lead the transformation of livestock traceability in England, to improve the resilience of the industry against the impact of disease. ​The programme is a partnership between government and industry to replace existing, species-specific traceability systems across England with a new multispecies system and drive greater Electronic Identification (EID) of livestock to create the capability for real-time reporting of livestock movements.

  • What is happening with how I report a movement for my cattle?

    England’s cattle keepers will continue to use an online service. The new Livestock Information Service (LIS) will be used to report cattle movements from summer 2026. 

  • If I can’t use a computer, how will I report cattle movements?

    If you cannot use technology to report cattle movements, there will be help and support available to make sure you can report in other ways. 

  • Can I use my farm software to report movements?

    Farm software works with LIS, and your software provider will let you know if you need to do anything to continue reporting as you do now.  In the unlikely event that your software provider chooses not to integrate with LIS, we will provide you with help and information in advance so you can continue to report your cattle movements to us. 

  • Will I still be able to speak to someone to register my cattle movements?

    As a modern 24/7 government service you won’t need to rely on helpline opening hours to give us your movement details; Anyone who cannot report movements using technology will be supported to make sure they can report in a different way. 

  • Who can see my cattle data on the new system?

    Your cattle data will only be visible to government and other statutory bodies. 
Regulations

  • What changes are being made to regulations?

    Key changes will include the introduction of:

     

    • a more proportionate approach to enforcement​
    • Bovine Electronic Identification (BEID) for newborn calves​
    • a centrally maintained digital holding register​
    • Whole movement reporting​
    • Voluntary pre-movement notification​
    • Voluntary inclusion of transportation details in movement reports​
    • Late registration of calves
    • Reporting of movements through a new Livestock Information Service for Cattle, replacing the current CTS (Cattle Tracing Service)

  • Why are you changing regulations?

    The government’s ambition is to achieve a comprehensive, multispecies Livestock Information Service while simplifying legislation and supporting new technology. This will enable faster, better-informed decisions on controlling disease outbreaks and will replace existing livestock traceability systems across England. 

  • How will the new regulations be enforced?

    We are introducing a more supportive system for inspections and enforcement of legal requirements. Keepers will be supported and encouraged to provide better traceability data, to help better tackle disease outbreaks. We are committed to explaining any required action and deadlines clearly so keepers will not be penalised for making genuine mistakes if they are corrected.
BEID

  • What are the benefits of BEID?

    Electronic readers are faster and more accurate than a visual read. It removes the reliance on paper systems, saving those dealing with admin time and money while greatly reducing the chance of written errors.

  • Will I need to retag all of my cattle with BEID tags?

    The simple answer is no. When BEID is made compulsory, it will be required for newborn calves only. Older animals will still be able to be identified by visually reading tags.

  • Are the new BEID tags the same as the management tags farmers already use?

    Official BEID tags will function in the same way as existing management tags, but will be encoded with the animals official ID number rather than a manufacturer-issued number. This removes the need for tag buckets and means BEID can be used for all recording and reporting purposes. It will be 100% compatible with existing EID readers. 

    If you have animals with existing LF Management tags, these will not be considered official BEID. 

  • Will BEID tags cost me more money?

    Currently the cost of a set of tags including a low frequency EID management tag is just over £1 more than a set of conventional ones. Keepers, markets and abattoirs won’t have to buy any associated reading equipment or to report using an electronic reader unless they choose to. If you currently use a handheld reader with your sheep flock, you can use the same reader with your cattle.

  • Will I have to purchase a reader?

    Livestock keepers will not have to buy a reader; each cattle keeper will have the choice to decide whether it would be beneficial to their business or not. 

  • When do I have to use BEID?

    Not for a while yet; no one will have to use BEID until 2027. Government will give at least 12 months’ notice for industry to prepare before any compulsory use. The good news is that if you’re wanting to start earlier there will be opportunities to do so nearer the time. 

  • What happens if I buy cattle with official Ultra High Frequency (UHF) tags from Scotland?

    UHF EID will not be an official form of cattle identification in England. The animal’s tags will display its Official ID number and can be read visually. 

  • Does this mean we are getting rid of paper passports?

    Not yet; the removal of current passports will not be considered until the majority of English cattle have BEID tags and all GB governments are ready to remove paper passports.