The Livestock Identification, Registration and Traceability Act

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CHAPTER 184
THE LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION,
REGISTRATION AND TRACEABILITY ACT
[PRINCIPAL LEGISLATION]
Arrangement of Sections
Section Title
part i
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
1. Short title. 2. Application. 3. Interpretation. part ii
NATIONAL LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION,
REGISTRATION AND TRACEABILITY SYSTEM
4. Establishment of National Livestock Identification,
Registration and Traceability System. 5. Declaration of compulsory livestock identification and registration areas. 6. Registration of livestock and premises for traceability. 7. Specification, application and age limit for livestock identification devices. 8. Livestock identification numbering system. 9. Acquisitions and application of livestock identification devices. 10. Functions of Director. 11. Powers of Director. 12. Livestock identification and traceability officer. 13. Delegation of powers. part iii
LIVESTOCK REGISTRATION AND RECORDING SYSTEM
14. Retention of livestock records. 15. Establishment of National Livestock Identification, Registration
and Traceability Registry. 16.

CORDING SYSTEM
14. Retention of livestock records. 15. Establishment of National Livestock Identification, Registration
and Traceability Registry. 16.

Records for traceability. 17. Veterinary laboratory traceability. 18. Confidentiality and accessibility.

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236
part iv
LIVESTOCK TRACEABILITY
19. Livestock traceability enforcement.
20. Livestock for market or slaughter.
21. Traceability of imports and exports of livestock.
22. Livestock identification parades.
23. Obliterations, tampering or removal of official livestock identification devices.
part v
GENERAL PROVISIONS
24. Development, establishment and operational costs.
25. Transitional provisions.
26. Offences and penalties.
27. Regulations.

t v
GENERAL PROVISIONS
24. Development, establishment and operational costs.
25. Transitional provisions.
26. Offences and penalties.
27. Regulations.

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PART I
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
1. This Act may be cited as the Livestock Identification,
Registration and Traceability Act. 2. This Act shall apply to Mainland Tanzania. 3.

OVISIONS
1. This Act may be cited as the Livestock Identification,
Registration and Traceability Act. 2. This Act shall apply to Mainland Tanzania. 3.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires-
“animal” means all vertebrate and invertebrate animals other
than human beings;
“authorised agent” means a public or private person authorised
to perform the functions under this Act;
“abattoir” means a slaughter house where animals are
slaughtered and has facilities for registration, emergence
slaughter area, detention room, condemnation room and
by products processing;
“accredited abattoir’’ means an abattoir meeting international
standards for slaughter for export purposes and is accredited
Short title
Application
Interpretation
CHAPTER 184
THE LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION,
REGISTRATION AND TRACEABILITY ACT
An Act to provide for the establishment of the National Livestock
Identification, Registration and Traceability System for purposes of
controlling animals diseases and livestock theft, enhancing food safety
assurance; to regulate movement of livestock, improve livestock products
and production of animal genetic resources; to promote access to market
and to provide for other related matters. [1st December, 2010]
[GN. No. 45 of 2011]
Act No. 12 of 2010

genetic resources; to promote access to market
and to provide for other related matters. [1st December, 2010]
[GN. No. 45 of 2011]
Act No. 12 of 2010

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eserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.THE LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION, REGISTRATION ACT [CAP. 184 R.E.

2023]
238
by the Director of Veterinary Services under the Animal
Diseases Act;
“basic national livestock identification system” means the
livestock identification system adopted as a baseline and
common for specified livestock species applicable within
the geographical area of Mainland Tanzania;
“brand mark” means any letter, character, sign or symbol or
any combination thereof used or intended to be used for
marking of livestock;
“brand” means a bum, cut, imprint or mark onto livestock;
“competent authority” means the Director or any person
authorised by him to perform the functions of the Director;
“compulsory livestock identification and registration” means
a mandatory identification and registration of livestock
under the National Livestock Identification and Registration
System;
“complimentary identification system” means the use of other
livestock identification systems other than the National
Livestock Identification and Registration System for specific
purposes;
“compulsory livestock identification area’’ means an area
in which compulsory identification and registration is
mandatory;
“Director” means the Director responsible for livestock
identification, registration and traceability;
“epidemiological unit” means a group of animals, a herd, flock,
village herd with a defined epidemiological relationship
that share approximately the same likelihood of exposure
to a pathogen;
“establishment” means premises where livestock are reared,
gathered, assembled or processed and includes a livestock
farm, livestock market, show ground and abattoir;
“food chain” means a pathway of relationship of actors,
processes and the food involved;
“flock” means a group of poultry or sheep kept together
under the control of a person;
Cap.

f relationship of actors,
processes and the food involved;
“flock” means a group of poultry or sheep kept together
under the control of a person;
Cap.

156

156

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THE LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION, REGISTRATION ACT [CAP. 184 R.E.

ved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.239
THE LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION, REGISTRATION ACT [CAP. 184 R.E.

2023]
“ghost animal” means a non-existing farm animal the particulars
of which is maintained in the Livestock Registry Database;
“herd” means a group of cattle, goats, camels, donkeys or
horses kept together under the control of a person;
“livestock” means a farm animal kept and reared for any
socio-economic value;
“livestock identification” means the combination of the
identification and registration of an animal individually
with a unique identifier or collectively by its epidemiological
unit or group with a unique group identifier;
“livestock identification application agent” means a person
from the public service or private sector approved by a
local government authority to apply livestock identification
devices onto livestock in designated areas of the local
government authority;
“livestock identification device” means a device used to
identify livestock;
“livestock identification parade” means an act of pooling
or gathering livestock with a view to ascertaining their
definitive identity;
“livestock identification system” means a system where by
components such as identification of owners, a person
responsible for the animal, movements and other records
with animal identification are linked;
“livestock identification and traceability officer” means
an officer appointed by the local government authority
to perform the functions of livestock identification,
registration and traceability in the local government area;
“livestock owner or keeper” means a person in charge of
livestock and includes every person having or claiming
jointly or severally any right, title or interest to or in
any livestock or land, the authorised agent of the owner,
including a market owner and an auctioneer and in the
case of a body corporate or unincorporated, means the
chief executive officer or other controlling officer of
the body, the superintendent or overseer of any livestock,

porate or unincorporated, means the
chief executive officer or other controlling officer of
the body, the superintendent or overseer of any livestock,

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eserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.THE LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION, REGISTRATION ACT [CAP. 184 R.E.

2023]
240
the occupier, superintendent or overseer of any land
upon which livestock are kept and all persons in charge
of travelling livestock in an aircraft, railway, vehicle
or vessel;
“livestock products” means products derived from livestock
and includes the carcass or the portion of carcass of
any livestock, the meat, blood, hide, skin, wool, hair,
horns, feathers, antlers, feet or offal of livestock, the fat,
milk, whey, cream, butter, cheese, eggs or other food or
foodstuffs derived from livestock, semen, ova or embryos
of livestock or the secretions, excretions, manure and
other wastes of livestock;
“livestock recording system” means the collection, collation
and storage of data or information on livestock;
“livestock register” means a register for maintaining a list of
premises or farm animals;
“livestock registration” means the action by which information
on animals such as identification, animal health, movement,
certification, epidemiology, is collected, recorded, securely
stored and made appropriately accessible and able to be
utilised by the competent authority;
“livestock traceability” means a system of following the
movement of livestock or their products along the food
chain;
“local government authority” means a local government
authority established under the Local Government
(District Authorities) Act and the Local Government
(Urban Authorities) Act;
“Minister” means the Minister responsible for livestock;
“movement” means the introduction into or departure from
an establishment of a farm animal that include births,
slaughter, deaths, losses of the animal and livestock products
that has to be recorded and reported;
“national livestock registry” means a register or computer
based database information repository to which premises
and identified livestock are recorded regardless of their
elite females or males status;
Cap.

based database information repository to which premises
and identified livestock are recorded regardless of their
elite females or males status;
Cap.

287
Cap. 288

287
Cap. 288

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.241
THE LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION, REGISTRATION ACT [CAP. 184 R.E. 2023]
“premises” means a holding or a village where livestock are
born, held, managed, marketed, processed or exhibited;
“premises identification” means registration of premises for
the purpose of this Act;
“registration” means the action by which information on
animals regarding identification, health, movement,
certification, epidemiology is collected, recorded, securely
stored and made appropriately accessible and able to be
utilised by the competent authority;
“Registry” means the National Livestock Identification,
Registration and Traceability Registry established under
section 15;
“traditional or owners livestock identification system” means
other livestock identification system used by livestock
farmer or owner;
“veterinary para-professional” has the meaning ascribed to
it under the Veterinary Act.

stock identification system used by livestock
farmer or owner;
“veterinary para-professional” has the meaning ascribed to
it under the Veterinary Act.

PART II
NATIONAL LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION,
REGISTRATION AND TRACEABILITY SYSTEM
4.–(1) There is hereby established a system to be known as
the National Livestock Identification, Registration and
Traceability System. (2) The National Livestock Identification, Registration and
Traceability System shall have the following basic components-
(a) the national livestock identification;
(b) the national livestock registration; and
(c) the national livestock recording and movement control. 5.–(1) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette,
declare a compulsory national livestock identification and
registration area in relation to which the Minister shall prescribe
the national livestock identification technologies. Cap. 319
Establishment
of National
Livestock
Identification,
Registration
and Traceability
System
Declaration
of compulsory
livestock
identification and
registration areas

t
of National
Livestock
Identification,
Registration
and Traceability
System
Declaration
of compulsory
livestock
identification and
registration areas

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242
(2) The livestock identification or registration of premises
and livestock establishments in which livestock are kept shall
be mandatory within the areas declared by the Minister. (3) The owner of the livestock shall identify his livestock in
the compulsory livestock identification area with an approved
national livestock identification technology. (4) The local government authority shall cause livestock
species and types in its area of jurisdiction to be identified and
registered by using the national livestock identification and
registration system. (5) The Director shall identify or cause to be identified all
livestock entering Mainland Tanzania and the record shall be
retained in the register for the specified period of time. (6) The livestock or livestock products owner may opt
to use complimentary identification system and devices in
identifying livestock or livestock products.

e livestock or livestock products owner may opt
to use complimentary identification system and devices in
identifying livestock or livestock products.

(7) The complimentary system or device shall not replace
or compromise the adopted national livestock identification
system or device. (8) The livestock identification systems and technologies
declared under subsection (1) shall not compromise the quality
of hides and skins as provided for under the Hides, Skin and
Leather Trade Act and the minimum requirements stipulated
for under the Animal Welfare Act. (9) Each local government authority shall, in cooperation
with the private sector oversee the implementation of this Act
in its respective area of jurisdiction. 6.–(1) Without prejudice to any other written law regarding
registration of livestock premises or establishment, a person
who owns or operates the premises or establishment for
keeping, rearing, processing or marketing of livestock or
livestock products shall register his premises of establishment. (2) The owner of a livestock farm in a compulsory livestock
identification and registration area shall register and keep
records of his livestock. Cap. 120
Cap. 154
Registration
of livestock and
premises for
traceability

tion and registration area shall register and keep
records of his livestock. Cap. 120
Cap. 154
Registration
of livestock and
premises for
traceability

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.243
THE LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION, REGISTRATION ACT [CAP. 184 R.E. 2023]
(3) The owner of a livestock shall register or cause to be
registered such livestock by the Village Council having
jurisdiction in the area in which the livestock is found or kept. (4) Any person who, by lawful means, acquires a livestock
shall register or cause such livestock to be registered within
thirty days from the date he acquired the livestock unless he
intends to slaughter it or the livestock dies. (5) The owner of a livestock may apply to the Director for
the transfer of registration of a livestock identification mark
registered in the name of another person from the name of
such other person to his name and the application shall be
accompanied by a written consent of the owner of the livestock
identification mark requested to be transferred.

his name and the application shall be
accompanied by a written consent of the owner of the livestock
identification mark requested to be transferred.

(6) The Director shall, where he is satisfied that the
application made under subsection (5) is in order, transfer the
registration of the livestock identification mark into the name
of the applicant and issue a certificate of registration. (7) A person who acquires ownership of a livestock from
the estate of the deceased person which identification mark has
been registered in the name of the deceased person shall apply
to the Director for the transfer of the registered mark, and the
Director shall, after being satisfied that there is no application
made in respect of such mark, transfer the registered mark to
the applicant. (8) The owner of a registered livestock identification
mark may, in writing, apply to the Director for cancellation
of registration of the livestock identification mark and the
Director shall, upon receipt of such application, cancel the
registration. (9) The registration of the establishments or premises
referred to under subsection (1) may be renewed at the
prescribed intervals, along with information on the number
of livestock of each species on the establishment or premises,
premises owner, livestock owners and the livestock manager
or keeper.

ion on the number
of livestock of each species on the establishment or premises,
premises owner, livestock owners and the livestock manager
or keeper.

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244
7.–(1) The Minister shall prescribe specifications and
standards for the livestock identification devices and shall, in
relation to such devices, prescribe proper methods of applying
the livestock identification devices. (2) There shall be prescribed an age limit of the livestock
for which the owner shall apply for the livestock identification
devices. 8.–(1) The Minister may prescribe numbering system to be
affixed to the livestock identification devices to ensure unique
individual or group livestock identification. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1),
the key elements of the numbering system shall conform to
the national, regional and international minimum standards. 9.–(1) The livestock owner shall acquire approved livestock
identification devices from the livestock identification and
traceability officer within the local government authority where
he keeps his livestock.

identification devices from the livestock identification and
traceability officer within the local government authority where
he keeps his livestock.

(2) The livestock owner shall, with the assistance of the
livestock identification and traceability agent and under the
supervision of the registered veterinary professional or enlisted
or enrolled veterinary para-professional under the Veterinary
Act, affix the livestock identification devices on the animal. (3) The owner or the livestock keeper in a compulsory
livestock identification area who dispatches, offers for sale,
sells, transports, slaughters or disposes off livestock or
carcass of livestock that is not identified or accompanied by
the prescribed documentation, commits an offence and on
conviction shall be liable to a fine not exceeding two million
shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year
or to both. 10.–(1) The Director appointed in accordance with the
Ministerial organisation structure shall be responsible for the
day to day administration of the National Livestock Identification,
Registration and Traceability System. Specification,
application
and age limit
for livestock
identification
devices
Livestock
identification
numbering
system
Acquisitions
and application
of livestock
identification
devices
Cap. 319
Functions
of Director

tion
devices
Livestock
identification
numbering
system
Acquisitions
and application
of livestock
identification
devices
Cap. 319
Functions
of Director

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THE LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION, REGISTRATION ACT [CAP. 184 R.E.

ved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.245
THE LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION, REGISTRATION ACT [CAP. 184 R.E.

2023]
(2) The functions of the Director shall be to-
(a) manage and guide the development of the National
Livestock Identification, Registration and Traceability
System;
(b) develop policy, strategies, activities and implementation
plan for the establishment and operationalisation of
the National Livestock Identification, Registration and
Traceability System;
(c) liaise and collaborate with regional and international
organisations on matters relating to livestock
identification, registration and traceability;
(d) link with local and international organisations on
livestock recording systems;
(e) provide backstopping and capacity building to local
government authorities in coordinating and supervising
the implementation of the provisions of the Act;
(f) manage the national livestock registry, database and
authorise accessibility of information;
(g) issue operational guidelines and standards of operating
procedures of the livestock identification and traceability
agents, livestock owners and livestock products processors
and traders; and
(h) carry out any other functions as may be assigned by the
Minister. 11.

agents, livestock owners and livestock products processors
and traders; and
(h) carry out any other functions as may be assigned by the
Minister. 11.

The Director shall have powers to enter into any premises,
establishment or livestock market and carry out inspection to
ensure compliance with the provisions of this Act. 12.–(1) A local government authority shall, within its
organisational structure, designate one of its officers to be a
livestock identification, registration and traceability officer. (2) The livestock identification, registration and traceability
officer shall perform the functions and exercise the powers
engaged under subsection (3) and he shall have the powers to-
Powers
of Director
Livestock
identification and
traceability officer

exercise the powers
engaged under subsection (3) and he shall have the powers to-
Powers
of Director
Livestock
identification and
traceability officer

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246
(a) supervise livestock identification registration and
traceability in compulsory identification areas,
establishment or premises;
(b) register premises where livestock are kept;
(c) collect or store livestock records;
(d) supervise the application or use of premises
identification codes or livestock identification numbers
and devices;
(e) keep national identification devices in his area;
(f) register and maintain a register or computerised
database of premises and identified livestock and
livestock products for the purpose of monitoring
livestock movement, trade, slaughter or death; and
(g) remit records to the central database. (3) The livestock identification, registration and traceability
officer shall have powers to enter into and inspect livestock
in the premises to ensure that the provisions of this Act are
complied with.

raceability
officer shall have powers to enter into and inspect livestock
in the premises to ensure that the provisions of this Act are
complied with.

(4) A local government authority shall, within its area
of jurisdiction, appoint from among its employees or private
livestock extension officers as livestock identification, registration
and traceability agent. (5) The functions of the livestock identification, registration
and traceability agent shall be to-
(a) obtain and keep custody of livestock identification
devices in the area;
(b) apply livestock identification devices on the livestock
with the National Livestock Identification System in
cooperation with the livestock owner;
(c) register and take records of identified livestock and
owners contact particulars;
(d) remit records of identification and registration to the
livestock identification and traceability agent;
(e) collect and remit recyclable livestock identification
devices to the livestock identification and traceability
agent; and

and traceability agent;
(e) collect and remit recyclable livestock identification
devices to the livestock identification and traceability
agent; and

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THE LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION, REGISTRATION ACT [CAP. 184 R.E. 2023]
(f) recover operational costs from the livestock owners
at rates as shall be determined and announced by the
local government authority and the Director. 13. The Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette,
delegate his powers to the local government authorities and
any other body established by, or incorporated under any
written law for the purpose of implementing the provisions of
this Act. PART III
LIVESTOCK REGISTRATION
AND RECORDING SYSTEM
14.–(1) A person who deals in the declared livestock species
as a livestock producer, processor, trader, tag manufacturer,
auctioneer, market operator, abattoir, processing plant,
transporter, hatchery, artificial breeding centre or veterinarian,
shall take, keep and maintain the record of livestock or livestock
products for purposes of livestock traceability.

l breeding centre or veterinarian,
shall take, keep and maintain the record of livestock or livestock
products for purposes of livestock traceability.

(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (1), the records
taken shall include the livestock-
(a) species;
(b) identification number;
(c) sex;
(d) colour;
(e) brand;
(f) breed;
(g) age;
(h) marking;
(i) tag number;
(j) sire and dam identification particulars; and
(k) any other information as deemed necessary for livestock
identification. (3) The records referred to under subsection (2) shall be
taken when the animal-
Delegation
of powers
Retention of
livestock records

k
identification. (3) The records referred to under subsection (2) shall be
taken when the animal-
Delegation
of powers
Retention of
livestock records

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248
(a) is born;
(b) is inseminated;
(c) is tagged or retagged;
(d) loses tag;
(e) dies;
(f) is dispatched;
(g) is introduced; and
(h) product is dispatched or arrives in the dispatching or
receiving centre. (4) A person responsible for the dispatch or receiving
livestock shall-
(a) retain the records;
(b) give a copy to the person dispatching or taking possession
of the livestock; and
(c) provide a copy either electronically or in paper form
to the Registry within a period to be specified in the
regulations. (5) A person who tests samples of an animal shall record
the identification particulars found on the sampled animal and
make reference to such identifiers in the proceeding events
or reports. 15.–(1) There shall be a Registry to be known as the National
Livestock Identification, Registration and Traceability Registry. (2) The Registry shall be a central repository of livestock
identification and registration data.

ntification, Registration and Traceability Registry. (2) The Registry shall be a central repository of livestock
identification and registration data.

(3) The Registry shall, for the purposes of removing ghost
animals in the data base, be managed by the Director or any
other person authorised by him and may be computerised
and web-based for online accessibility to authorised persons
or institutions. (4) The movements of the prescribed livestock and livestock
product shall, on departure and arrival be recorded. (5) Any person operating a livestock market, abattoir or a
livestock establishment shall notify the Director managing the
Registry regarding the sold or slaughtered livestock within the
time limit in a manner prescribed in the regulations. Establishment
of National
Livestock
Identification,
Registration
and Traceability
Registry

n the
time limit in a manner prescribed in the regulations. Establishment
of National
Livestock
Identification,
Registration
and Traceability
Registry

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.249
THE LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION, REGISTRATION ACT [CAP. 184 R.E. 2023]
16.–(1) A person who owns or operates an abattoir, meat
processing plant, livestock market and quarantine facility
or holding ground shall take and keep records of animal
identification particulars and establish the source from which
the animals were dispatched and submit such records to the
Director or the local government authority in his area of
jurisdiction within seventy two hours. (2) A person operating a designated abattoir or meat
processing plant shall put in place and operate an internal
livestock traceability system to ensure that livestock identifiers
are collected and disposed-off or handle reusable identifiers to
an official identification agent of the area in accordance with
the procedures prescribed in the regulations. (3) Any person who contravenes the provisions of this
section, commits an offence and on conviction shall be liable to
a fine not exceeding one million shillings or to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both. 17.

on conviction shall be liable to
a fine not exceeding one million shillings or to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both. 17.

A person operating a veterinary laboratory shall be
required to take and keep records of ascribed national livestock
identification particulars on the livestock or the sample
collected for diagnosis and analysis for a period of not less than
five years. 18.–(1) Any information or data in the Registry shall only be
accessible by the authorised persons for the purposes intended
for under this Act. (2) The Director or a person authorised by him shall put in
place proper safeguards to ensure confidentiality, management
and control of accessibility to the Registry through allocation
of user identities, up-loading own passwords and prescribing
user rights in a scalable manner. Records for
traceability
Veterinary
laboratory
traceability
Confidentiality
and accessibility

swords and prescribing
user rights in a scalable manner. Records for
traceability
Veterinary
laboratory
traceability
Confidentiality
and accessibility

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250
PART IV
LIVESTOCK TRACEABILITY
19.–(1) The Minister shall, collaborate with the Ministers
responsible for trade, home affairs and health for the purposes
of controlling livestock diseases, livestock products traceability,
and prevention of livestock theft. (2) For the purposes of livestock traceability, the Director
shall coordinate public and private institutions or authorities
for the enforcement of this Part. 20. A person shall not cause livestock to be marketed or
slaughtered in an accredited abattoir for trade or export unless
the livestock is accompanied by the prescribed documentation. 21.–(1) Livestock brought into or exported outside Mainland
Tanzania shall be registered and its particulars be submitted
to the Director. (2) For the purpose of import or export of livestock the
provisions of the Animal Disease Act shall apply.

s particulars be submitted
to the Director. (2) For the purpose of import or export of livestock the
provisions of the Animal Disease Act shall apply.

22.–(1) The Director, an authorised agent or a police officer
may order any person who is in possession of a livestock
whose ownership is in dispute to present such livestock to the
identification parade. (2) Any person who is in possession of the livestock ordered
to attend a livestock identification parade shall present the
livestock to the Director, authorised agent or a police officer at
a time, place and in a manner specified in the order. (3) Any person who contravenes the provisions of this
section, commits an offence and on conviction, shall be liable
to a fine not exceeding two million shillings or to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding one year or to both. 23.–(1) A person other than the owner shall not, without
lawful cause, or excuse present the livestock for identification
Livestock
traceability
enforcement
Livestock for
market or
slaughter
Traceability
of imports
and exports
of livestock
Cap. 156
Livestock
identification
parades
Obliterations,
tampering or
removal of
official livestock
identification
devices

ts
and exports
of livestock
Cap. 156
Livestock
identification
parades
Obliterations,
tampering or
removal of
official livestock
identification
devices

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.251
THE LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION, REGISTRATION ACT [CAP. 184 R.E. 2023]
and registration under the National Identification and
Registration System. (2) Any person who removes or obliterates livestock
identification devices or mutilates any part of the body of a
livestock prescribed for application of livestock identification
devices, commits an offence and on conviction, shall be liable
to a fine not exceeding two million shillings or to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding one year or to both. PART V
GENERAL PROVISIONS
24.–(1) The costs of system development and establishment
of the National Livestock Identification, Registration and
Traceability System shall be borne by the Government. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1), the
operational costs for the implementation of the National
Livestock Identification, Registration and Traceability System
may be borne by the Government, stakeholders and
beneficiaries under direct or indirect shared arrangement
during identification or registration of a livestock as the
Minister may prescribe. 25.

and
beneficiaries under direct or indirect shared arrangement
during identification or registration of a livestock as the
Minister may prescribe. 25.

For purpose of giving room for preparation for the
implementation of the requirement for registration of livestock,
the provisions relating to registration of livestock shall not
be enforced during the initial three years of the coming into
operation of this Act. 26. A person who commits an offence under this Act to which
no specific penalty is provided for, shall be liable to a fine
not exceeding two million shillings or to imprisonment for a
period not exceeding one year or to both. Development,
establishment
and operational
costs
Transitional
provisions
Offences and
penalties

onment for a
period not exceeding one year or to both. Development,
establishment
and operational
costs
Transitional
provisions
Offences and
penalties

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.THE LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION, REGISTRATION ACT [CAP. 184 R.E. 2023]
252
27.

rt of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.THE LIVESTOCK IDENTIFICATION, REGISTRATION ACT [CAP. 184 R.E. 2023]
252
27.

The Minister may make regulations prescribing-
(a) the National Livestock Identification, Registration and
Traceability System;
(b) types of livestock identification devices;
(c) the compulsory livestock identification and registration
areas;
(d) species, breeds, sex and age of animals to be identified
and registered with the prescribed system;
(e) method and site of applying livestock identification
devices;
(f) brand and branding system as to the size, design,
application sites, pattern of the brand and branding
equipment;
(g) record keeping systems;
(h) procedures for the importation or manufacture of
livestock identification devices;
(i) conditions and procedures for conducting traceability
on demand;
(j) procedures for conducting livestock identification parade;
(k) basic livestock identification;
(l) unique livestock identification;
(m) traceability depth and breadth;
(n) the use of traditional or owners livestock identification;
and
(o) anything which in this Act is required or authorised to
be prescribed. Regulations