The European Union’s European Agency for Reconstruction will pay for the tagging of one million Serbia cattle to improve food safety and help the country increase its meat and animal exports.
The new EU tags will allow Serbian veterinary authorities to track bovine livestock from farm to market, allowing them to spot and contain disease. Ear tags will confirm with standard EU practice in carrying a unique number identifying animals and their origin, easing concerns about the safety of Serb beef.
Only ear tagged cattle will be sold or slaughtered for food. EAR agriculture manager Simon Davies said the scheme was a “win-win” system.