The document summarizes the results of a survey on livestock identification and registration systems among West Eurasian countries. It finds that: 1. Cattle are typically kept indoors or grazing outdoors with limited seasonal movements, while nomadic systems are more common for small ruminants like sheep and goats. Pigs have a smaller population and are usually kept indoors or on some industrial holdings. 2. All countries have national lists of cattle and small ruminants, but only a few for pigs. The lists usually include owner, farm, and village information and are maintained by national veterinary authorities, typically being updated once per year. 3. Most countries also have local lists with similar

1. Livestock Identification / Registration
among the West Eurasia Countries
Results of a Survey
Abdul Baqi Mehraban
Livestock Development Officer
FAO-SEC

2. Objectives of the Survey:
 To gain an insight of the Livestock Identification/registration
systems already in place among the West Eurasia Countries
 To identify/prioritize areas of improvement
 To identify possible areas of international/trans-boundary
cooperation between neighboring countries
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

3. Description of the Survey
A questionnaire distributed 3 weeks before the Baku meeting.
Almost all questions as YES/NO or tick-boxes.
Dully filled questionnaires received from 10 Countries
Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran,
Iraq, Kazakhstan, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey
Many thanks to all who responded !!!!
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

4. Description of the Survey
Questions restricted to FMD susceptible species: cattle - sheep/goats - pigs
Questions covered 5 main areas :
• Livestock Registration Systems (list of all the holdings, or farms or villages
keeping livestock at national level (for the entire country ) or at local level
• Livestock identification systems: (systems for marking animals individually in
order to identify them)
• Movement Tracing: (movements of animals inside the country but also between
countries)
• Movements of animals in case of FMD
General remark :
Replies were more relevant for Cattle and Sheep - Goats , less for Pigs (in half of the
replies there were either no pig replies or a comment for a very small pig population).
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

5. Results: (1) What are the most common husbandry system(s) for cattle ?
100%
80%
60%
40.00%
40%
30.00%
20.00%
20%
10.00%
0%
(1.1) Nomadic herds (1.2) Animals grazing (1.3) Animals kept (1.4) Industrial
and ones that make mostly outdoors – no mostly indoors no holdings - intensive
seasonal movements seasonal movements seasonal movements rearing
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

6. Results: (1) What are the most common husbandry system(s) for sheep/goats ?
100%
80.00%
80%
60%
40%
20%
10.00% 10.00%
0.00%
0%
(1.1) Nomadic herds (1.2) Animals grazing (1.3) Animals kept (1.4) Industrial
and ones that make mostly outdoors – no mostly indoors no holdings - intensive
seasonal movements seasonal movements seasonal movements rearing
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

7. RESULTS: LIVESTOCK REGISTRATION SYSTEMS – National lists of livestock
(2) Is there a national list of holdings, or farms or villages keeping livestock ?
(2)
100.00%
100%
90.00%
80% (1) Cattle
60% (2) Sheep/Goats
(3) Pigs
40%
30.00%
20%
0%
(1) Cattle (2) Sheep/Goats (3) Pigs
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

8. RESULTS: LIVESTOCK REGISTRATION SYSTEMS – National lists of livestock
(2.2-2.5) What is the Information included in the national list ?
100%
Cattle
80.00% 80.00% 80.00% Sheep/Goats
80%
Pigs
70.00% 70.00% 70.00%
60%
40%
30.00% 30.00% 30.00% 30.00%
20.00%
20%
10.00%
0%
(2.2) List of (2.3) List of (2.4) List of (2.5) List of (2.2) List of (2.3) List of (2.4) List of (2.5) List of (2.2) List of (2.3) List of (2.4) List of (2.5) List of
livestock farms villages keeping herds livestock farms(premises) villages keeping herds livestock farms(premises) villages keeping herds
owners (premises) livestock owners livestock owners livestock

9. RESULTS: LIVESTOCK REGISTRATION SYSTEMS – National lists of livestock
(3) Who is responsible to keep and update the national list?
100%
Cattle
Sheep/Goats
80.00%
80% Pigs
70.00%
60%
40.00%
40%
30.00%
20.00% 20.00% 20.00%
20%
10.00% 10.00%
0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
0%
(3.1) (3.2) (3.3) (3.4) Other (3.1) (3.2) (3.3) (3.4) Other (3.1) (3.2) (3.3) (3.4) Other
National National National National National National National National National
Veterinary Authorities Farmers’ Veterinary Authorities Farmers’ Veterinary Authorities Farmers’
Authorities other than associations Authorities other than associations Authorities other than associations
the the the
Veterinary Veterinary Veterinary
Authorities Authorities Authorities
(3)

10. RESULTS: LIVESTOCK REGISTRATION SYSTEMS – National lists of livestock
(3.5) How often is the national list updated ?
40
36 (1) Cattle
35
30
25
Months 20
15
12 12 12 12
10
6 6
5
1 1
0

11. RESULTS: LIVESTOCK REGISTRATION SYSTEMS – National lists of livestock
(3.5) How often is the national list updated ?
40
36
35
(2) Sheep/Goats
30
25
Months
20
15
12 12 12
10
6 6
5
1 1
0

12. SUMMARY ON LIVESTOCK REGISTRATION SYSTEMS
Husbandry systems
• Cattle , kept indoors / grazing outdoors are rarely subject to seasonal
movements.
• In small ruminants the majority of countries reported nomadic
systems/seasonal movements as the most likely practices .
• Pigs , an apparently less significant population, are either kept indoors or
make part of a few industrial holdings in some countries.
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

13. SUMMARY ON LIVESTOCK REGISTRATION SYSTEMS
All countries have national lists of cattle and sheep goats(9/10),
but only a few for pigs (3/10)
The National Lists of cattle and small ruminants :
•usually include lists of owners, farms and villages
•60% of the countries they are electronic
•They are usually filled by the National Veterinary Authorities of each
country
•in most cases updated once per year (in some countries every 1-6 months
or up to 36 months)
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

14. SUMMARY ON LIVESTOCK REGISTRATION SYSTEMS
Most countries (80%) also keep Local Lists of cattle /small ruminants:
•Almost same information like the relevant national lists
•Kept by the Local Veterinary or other Authorities
•Updated with the same frequency with National Lists
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

15. RESULTS: LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS
(6.1-6.2) Do they apply- are they mandatory?
100%
(6.1) Identification
systems are present
80%
60%
50.00%
40%
20%
10.00%
0.00%
0%
(1) Cattle (2) Sheep/Goats (3) Pigs 6.1

16. RESULTS: LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS
(6.1-6.2) Do they apply- are they mandatory?
100%
(6.1) Identification systems
are mandatory
80%
60%
40% 30.00%
20.00%
20%
10.00%
0%
(1) Cattle (2) Sheep/Goats (3) Pigs 6.2)

17. RESULTS: LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS
(6.3) Estimated percentages of farm animals that bear some individual identification
Cattle
(replies from 7 countries)
100
100 95
90
80 75
70
60
50
40
30
20 0.5
10 10
10 4
0

18. RESULTS: LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS
(6.3) Estimated percentages of farm animals that bear some individual identification
Sheep/Goats
(replies from 4 countries)
100
100
90
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
10
0.5
0

19. RESULTS: LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS
(6.4) What are the common methods used for individual animal identification ?
Cattle
100.00%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20.00%
20%
10.00% 10.00%
0.00%
0%
(1) Ear tag (2) Tattoo (3) Electronic bolus (4) Branding (5) Other
(6.4)

20. RESULTS: LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS
(6.4) What are the common methods used for individual animal identification ?
Sheep/Goats
100%
80%
60%
40.00%
40%
20.00%
20%
10.00%
0.00% 0.00%
0%
(1) Ear tag (2) Tattoo (3) Electronic bolus (4) Branding (5) Other
(6.4)

21. RESULTS: LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS
(6.6) The animal identification records, are they paper based or electronic ?
100%
80.00%
80%
Cattle
60% Sheep/Goats
Pigs
40%
30.00% 30.00%
20.00% 20.00%
20%
10.00%
0%
Paper Based Electronic Paper Based Electronic Paper Based Electronic
(6.6)
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

22. RESULTS: LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS
Cattle
(6.7) Who fills the animal identification records ? Sheep/Goats
Pigs
100%
80.00%
80%
60%
40.00%
40%
30.00%
20.00% 20.00% 20.00% 20.00%
20%
10.00% 10.00%
0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
0%
(1) (2) Private (3) Farmer (4)Other (1) (2) Private (3) Farmer (4)Other (1) (2) Private (3) Farmer (4)Other
Government veterinarian Government veterinarian Government veterinarian
veterinarian veterinarian veterinarian
(6.7)
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

23. SUMMARY ON LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS
 Practically present only for cattle, in half the countries
 (mandatory only in 3 countries).
 In 1-2 countries reported for small ruminants and pigs too.
 In most countries, where cattle identification is present, it is estimated
that 10% or less of the cattle bear individual identification (mostly ear
tags).
 A couple of countries however reported high levels (above 90%) of
individual identification among all ruminants.
 Records of livestock identification are mostly paper based (some
electronic records reported too) and usually filled by Government
Veterinarians .
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

24. RESULTS: MOVEMENT TRACING – Inside the country
(7.1) Do livestock animals need some kind of authorization prior to movement inside the
country ?
100%
90.00%
80.00%
Authorisation is 80%
required prior to
movement
60%
40.00%
40%
20%
0%
(1) Cattle (2) Sheep/Goats (3) Pigs
(7.1)
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

25. RESULTS: MOVEMENT TRACING – Inside the country
(7.2) What kind of authorization is needed for movements of animals inside the country ?
Cattle
100% Sheep/Goats
Pigs
80.00%
80%
70.00%
60.00% 60.00%
60%
50.00%
40.00%
40%
20.00% 20.00%
20%
10.00%
0%
Movement Health Other Movement Health Other Movement Health Other
permit certificate permit certificate permit certificate
(7.2)
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4 th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

26. RESULTS: MOVEMENT TRACING – Inside the country
(7.3) Are there any records of animal movements ? Cattle
100% Sheep/Goats
Pigs
80%
60%
50.00%
40.00% 40.00%
40%
30.00% 30.00% 30.00% 30.00%
20.00%
20%
10.00%
0%
YES paper YES NO YES paper YES NO YES paper YES NO
electronic electronic electronic
(7.3)
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

27. RESULTS: MOVEMENT TRACING – Inside the country
(7.4) Who authorizes animal movements within the country ? Cattle
Sheep/Goats
Pigs
100%
90.00% 90.00%
80%
60.00%
60%
40%
20%
10.00% 10.00% 10.00%
0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
0%
(1) (2) Police (3) Other (1) (2) Police (3) Other (1) (2) Police (3) Other
Veterinary Veterinary Veterinary
Authorities Authorities Authorities
(7.4)
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

28. RESULTS: MOVEMENT TRACING – International (to and from other countries)
(8.3) What is the competent authority responsible to authorize import
and export of live animals to other countries ?
100.00%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
10.00% 10.00%
0.00%
0%
(1) Veterinary (2) Customs (3) Police (4) Other
Authorities
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

29. RESULTS: MOVEMENT TRACING – Border Controls
(8.5) What are the COMPETENT AUTHORITIES No of Border
responsible for official border controls of live Country
Inspection Posts
animals ? (imported or exported)
Afghanistan 9
100%
Armenia 9
80.00%
80% Azerbaijan 11
60%
Georgia 13
Iran 41
40%
30.00%
Iraq 14
20.00%
20%
Kazakhstan 34
0.00%
0%
Syria 23
(1) Veterinary (2) Customs (3) Police (4) Other
Authorities Tajikistan 17
Turkey 8
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

30. SUMMARY ON MOVEMENT CONTROLS WITHIN EACH COUNTRY
In the majority of countries (80-90%) movements of Cattle and
Sheep/Goats are subject to authorisation (health certificate
±movement permit) granted mostly by the Veterinary
Authorities.
 In pigs some movement control reported too (authorisation
required in 40% of the countries) .
Livestock movement records reported to exist in 7/10 countries
(paper or electronic) .
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

31. SUMMARY ON MOVEMENT CONTROLS WITHIN EACH COUNTRY
 Official controls to detect unauthorised livestock movements are carried out
jointly by the Veterinary Authorities and the Police.
Half or more of the countries reported that UNAUTHORISED movements of
ruminants/pigs may occur sometimes.
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

32. SUMMARY ON MOVEMENT TRACING BETWEEN COUNTRIES
(IMPORTS – EXPORTS)
 In all countries Imports – Exports of live animals are authorised
by the Veterinary Authorities
 In most cases border controls are carried out by the Veterinary
Authorities and/or Customs, sometimes assisted by the Police.
 Unauthorised IMPORTS of livestock were reported to occur
(30%) or rarely while unauthorised EXPORTS less frequently,
20%-10%).
 The number of Border Inspection Posts per country is usually
around 10-15, although a couple of countries reported more
than 20 or 30.
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

33. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS - REMARKS
 Livestock registration (owners, farms, villages) is in place to
some extent for cattle as well as small ruminants.
 Individual animal identification is very low in most countries
and practically present only in cattle.
 Situation may vary significantly between countries.
 Movement restrictions in case of FMD may vary significantly
between countries, in some cases they do not even apply.
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

34. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS - REMARKS
 Most countries plan to improve their animal
movement control systems (particularly for
ruminants) both within their territory as well as for
exports/imports. If achieved this could greatly
contribute in FMD control in the area.
 Introduction of electronic systems both in
Livestock Registration as well as in Livestock
Identification could help improve the situation.
 The presence of nomadic sheep / goat populations
in many countries poses an extra challenge for FMD
control in West Eurasia.
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan

35. I HAVE TO GO NOW
Livestock Identification / Registration Survey
4th West Eurasian Annual Roadmap meeting 2-4 April 2013, Baku -Azerbaijan