Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) is implementing the National Plan for the Individual Identification of Cattle and Buffalo (PNIB), making traceability mandatory by 2032. This will bring a major shift in how Brazil manages its livestock.
The state of Pará has decided to take the lead and anticipate the traceability of its herd, making identification mandatory for animal movements starting in January 2026.
Led by colleagues Eduardo Pereira – LID Manager, Carlos Alberto Thys Filho – Marketing Manager for Latin America, and Antonio Daniel – Pará Regional Sales, the Datamars Livestock team traveled across Pará, speaking with producers about the upcoming changes, clarifying common doubts, and exploring ways to help them adapt.
Summary of the Regulations
Let’s recap the changes: the initiative aims to enhance traceability by recording the history, location, and movements of each animal. This will support animal health programs, improve responses to disease outbreaks, and help Brazil meet international sanitary standards. To achieve this, animals will be identified using electronic ear tags or flag tags.
Sustainability is also a key factor behind these regulations. Pará, with its Amazon biome, is one of the states that most protects forest areas, with some properties allocating up to 80% of their land to environmental reserves, producing only on the remaining 20%. However, today these ranchers cannot prove that their animals truly come from legal and environmentally responsible areas. Traceability will provide the data foundation to support their claims.
PNIB Phases and Key Dates
Phase 1 (2025): Launch of a federal database and digital system for identifying cattle and buffalo.
Phase 2 (2026): State agencies adapt their systems and databases to the national plan.
Phase 3 (2027–2029): Start of individual identification during health management, private protocols, or movements — all animals must be identified by the end of 2029.
Phase 4 (2030–2032): Full implementation — all animals must be identified before any movement within national territory.
The first question is fundamental: Why trace?
Traceability is not just a legal requirement — it’s an investment in the future of your livestock business. The data collected enables better herd management, disease monitoring and access to new markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the ear tags for?
A: To individually identify and monitor each animal, enabling traceability of its production history.
Q: Will the government provide the tags, or do I need to buy them?
A: The government will provide them for producers with up to 100 head of cattle. Others must purchase them independently.
Q: Will there be penalties for inventory discrepancies?
A: Yes, compliance will be monitored. However, during the initial inventory adjustment phase, the government is offering grace periods for producers to update their records without penalties.
Q: Will the cattle be tracked by satellite?
A: No, the ear tags enable traceability within official databases.
Partnership and Support
You’re not alone — our team is here to help you understand the changes and what’s needed to comply with the PNIB. From education to implementation, we’re by your side every step of the way.
We’ve been visiting farms and resellers across the state, offering training, equipment demonstrations, and ensuring you have the best tools — like Z Tags electronic ear tags and Tru-Test EID readers — for the job.
We understand the challenges you face and are committed to providing quality products, support, and training to ensure a smooth transition.
The move to mandatory Electronic Identification (EID) marks a new chapter for livestock farming in Pará — one that leads to greater productivity, quality, and market access. At Datamars Livestock, we’re proud to be your partner in making it happen!