Cattle Identification and Traceability
Requirements and guidance can change. Always verify current requirements with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Government of Alberta and other applicable authorities before using a claim or label commercially.
Canada’s livestock traceability system helps authorities respond to animal disease, food-safety issues and other emergencies by providing information about livestock identification and movement.
Three foundations of traceability
Canada’s livestock traceability framework is based on:
- animal identification
- premises identification
- animal movement
Approved cattle tags
Cattle are generally required to bear an approved tag before leaving their farm of origin, subject to specified exceptions in the federal requirements.
Animals can move through several locations
During their lives, cattle may move between:
- farms and ranches
- backgrounding operations
- auction marts
- feedlots
- community pastures
- veterinary facilities
- slaughter facilities
Different participants in that chain have specific responsibilities.
Auction marts are part of the system
Intermediate sites such as auction marts have federal livestock identification and recordkeeping requirements.
The system is designed primarily for animal-health and regulatory traceability. It does not necessarily provide a grocery shopper with the farm story, feeding program or lifetime management history of an individual package of beef.
Why PureBeef adds another layer
PureBeef farm profiles are intended to help consumers discover producers and understand publicly available or producer-verified production information.
They complement regulatory traceability. They do not replace it.
- CFIA – Livestock Traceability Overview
- CFIA – Description of Livestock Traceability Requirements
- CFIA – Requirements for Intermediate Sites
Last reviewed: September 2026.