The Canadian Sheep Identification Program

CSIP transition to Radio Frequency CSIP tags - see below

NEW Fact sheet! Lamb Traceability Project in Alberta (LTP)

RFID Tags and Taggers factsheet  

The Canadian Sheep Identification Program is an industry-led initiative to develop a trace back system that will address producer concerns about sheep health and meet consumer expectations for quality assurance and food safety.

The Canadian Sheep Identification Program began January 1st, 2004.  The program is mandatory.

All sheep and lambs must bear an approved CSIP ear tag before they leave any premises - see below for approved tags.

This includes animals leaving the premises temporarily (for example: exhibitions, veterinarian clinics, community pastures).  It is illegal to transport untagged animals.

Sheep producers are required to:

  • Ensure that an approved CSIP ear tag is applied to all sheep and lambs before they leave your farm.
  • Keep a record of:
    • All sheep or lambs entering your flock for breeding purposes.
    • All sheep 18 months or older leaving your farm, other than those sold directly to a federally or provincially inspected abattoir.
  • Imported sheep must have a Canadian approved national identification tag applied within 7 days of arrival.
  • All animals purchased must bear an approved CSIP ear tag. If a tag is subsequently lost, you must immediately apply a new approved CSIP ear tag and record the identification number with as much information about the origin of the animal as is known.
  • Approved CSIP ear tags must not be removed from any live animal or tampered with for any reason and must not be re-used. If an animal dies on your property, the tag should be removed, saved and recorded with the cause of death if known.
  • The CSIP tagging system is monitored by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and anyone who does not comply may face legal consequences.  Since January 1, 2004, it is illegal for processing plants, truckers, auction markets to accept sheep or lambs not bearing CSIP tags

In Alberta, CSIP tags are purchased from the Canadian Co-operative Woolgrowers 1-800-567-3693 (call toll-free)

CSIP Approved Tags

See timeline for transition to RFID TAGS

Producers may choose from the options below.

PINK Ketchum Kurl Lock #3

On sale until June 30, 2011
Apply before Dec 31, 2011

No longer CSIP Jan 1, 2013

 Ketchum Kurl Lock #3 sheep tags.

Shearwell SET Radio Frequency Identification tag*

Eligible for RFID Tag Incentive Program (SEIIP) reimbursement

 Shearwell SET radio frequency identification tag.

PINK Plastic Allflex dangle tag

On sale until June 30, 2011
Apply before Dec 31, 2011

No longer CSIP Jan 1, 2013

 Pink Allflex dangle tags.

YELLOW Allflex Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) button

Eligible for RFID Tag Incentive Program (SEIIP) reimbursement

 Allflex RFID Button.

YELLOW Allflex RFID and dangle

 Allflex RFID Dangle.

All stocks of CSIP Ketchum pink metal tags and CSIP Allflex dangle tags are exhausted. You may continue to use up the stock you already have according to the CSF timelines. The only CSIP tags now available for purchase in Alberta are yellow RFID tags Shearwell RFID loop tags or Allflex RFID button tags.

Read more...

Transition to RFID tags

The federal government is creating legislation for Canada’s livestock industry to mandate traceability for the purposes of disease control. The only way this can be achieved in the sheep industry is through the use of radio-frequency identification tags. This does not require big investments in computers and equipment.

From 1 Jan 2012, all producers must use an RFID CSIP tag (current minimum cost $1.65) and the appropriate applicator (current minimum cost $10 or free with 200+ tags).

Sheep Electronic Identification Incentive Program now available to reimburse CSIP RFID tags for all lambs born after 1 December 2010.

  • July 1, 2011: Ketchum Kurl lock (pink metal) and Allflex dangle tags will no longer be available for sale to sheep producers as Canadian Sheep Identification Program (CSIP) tags. Please note that you will have only six months to use up your stocks.
  • Jan. 1, 2012: All animals born or tagged after this date must be tagged with CSIP RFID tags, the Allflex RFID tag or the Shearwell RFID tag.
  • After Dec. 31, 2012: The Ketchum Kurl lock and Allflex dangle tags will no longer be accepted at sales, abattoirs or by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for shipping, transfer or sale of sheep in Canada.

At this time, the Kurl Lock #3 and the Allflex Panel tag will be officially removed from the list of approved tags for the CSIP.

Visit the Canadian Sheep Federation website to see a series of eight short videos on tagging your animals. You will find step-by-step information on how to use Shearwell and Allflex RFID tags.

To order CSIP tags for Alberta

Please contact: the Canadian Cooperative Wool Growers at 1-800-567-3693.

In Alberta, Alberta Lamb Producers service charge is added to tags at time of purchase.

Download a copy of the Alberta Lamb Producers fact sheet CSIP in Alberta.

For full details of the Canadian Sheep Identification Program, please visit the Canadian Sheep Federation website

For more information on RFID in Quebec please contact:

  • The Canadian Sheep Federation at 1-888-684-7739 or
  • Agri-Tracabilité Quebec (ATQ) at 1-866-270-4319

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