Argentina modernizes animal identification to improve traceability

The measure was announced by the country's Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Sergio Iraheta, following a meeting of agricultural sector leaders and the Senasa with representatives of the Argentine Rural Society, CONINAGRO, CRA, CAF, IPCVA, AACREA and the Shorthorn, Angus, Brangus and Braford breed associations, among others.

Senasa Resolution 530/2025, published this week in the Official Gazette, establishes that the combination of a visual tag and an electronic identification device – a button, a rumen bolus or an injection transponder – will become mandatory for cattle , buffalo and deer from 1 January 2026, as defined in SAGyP Resolution 71/2024 and its amendments.

From this date onwards , livestock producers are required to identify all calves at weaning or before their first movement.

In addition, the regulations establish mandatory implementation of an injectable transponder (microchip) for horse producers both within the National Individual Register of Horses (RENIE) and when performing sanitary tasks or veterinary-pharmacological treatments that require it, in accordance with the current regulations.

It should be noted that for producers of sheep, goats, camels and pigs, electronic individual identification will remain voluntary.

In addition, the new resolution designates the International Committee for Animal Registration (ICAR) as the sole certification body authorized to guarantee the quality of electronic devices used in the national identification system for the various animal species controlled by SENASA.

This measure represents a significant step forward in animal health control and public health, ensuring traceability of animals transported and traded throughout the country and positioning Argentina among countries with the highest international standards in this area.

During the meeting, it was confirmed that progress will be made on electronic individual traceability and how this will be implemented throughout the slaughter process, linking each individual number to a final assessment that is directly linked to the results obtained through the application of currently valid beef and meat quality protocols.

This will also include the development of a computer system (TRAZA) that will allow different links in the chain to access their information in a user-friendly format, securely and certified, allowing them to analyse it to make production and/or commercial decisions.