If you own livestock or simply have farm animals on your land in Saskatchewan, you must now have a premises identification (PID) number. PID is an important element of an effective livestock traceability system.
Livestock traceability is the ability to follow an animal or group of animals during all stages of its life. The goal of the livestock traceability system is to provide timely, accurate and relevant information to reduce the impacts of a disease outbreak, food safety issue or natural disaster originating from and/or affecting livestock.
Premises identification numbers
Having a PID number for your operation allows for traceability information to be accessed quickly for the protection of animal health, public health and market access for the horse industry.
Livestock operations must have at least one premises registered. A premises is identified only once, regardless of how many animal species are kept, assembled or disposed of at the site, or whether it is operated by more than one person. A PID number is assigned by the Ministry of Agriculture to a specific parcel of land on which animals, plants or food are grown, kept, assembled, or disposed of. Some examples of a premises are:
- Boarding stables;
- Community pastures;
- Fairs and exhibition grounds;
- Feedlots;
- Farms/ranches;
- Hobby farms;
- Pastures;
- Veterinary clinics/laboratories; and
- Race tracks.
PID is important
Since 2016, all properties with any capacity of livestock on them must have a valid PID, to be in compliance with Saskatchewan’s Premises Identification Regulations. If you own an animal that is kept at a location owned or managed by someone else (e.g. a boarding stable), and the animal will not live on your premises, you are not required to register for a PID number. Ask the operator/manager of the property for the PID of where your horse is kept.
Animal movement
When transporting a horse, the PID field on the manifest or horse movement permit should be completed.
By linking a unique identifier to a premises, it allows for a quicker, more efficient response in the event of a natural disaster.
With diseases such as equine infectious anaemia (EIA) and neurological equine herpes virus (nEHV) being of some concern in recent years, proper movement tracking and use of PID will increase the competence and ability of government, agencies and responders to properly monitor and help contain outbreaks for the safety of everyone’s horses.
How your information will be used
Information collected by the provincial government is kept confidential. It is only shared with a government agency in the event of a natural disaster (such as flood or fire) or disease outbreak. As outlined in The Animal Health Act, personal information can only be disclosed for purposes prescribed in the Act.
Registration information
There is no cost for registering a PID. Applicants can apply online or by submitting a paper application. Producers can visit premisesid.saskatchewan.ca to enroll online, or phone the Agriculture Knowledge Centre’s general inquiry line at 1-866-457-2377 for further information.
Melissa Hurst
Government of Saskatchewan
Provincial Livestock Traceability Specialist
Livestock Branch, Ministry of Agriculture
Rm 202, 3085 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4S 0B1
Bus: (306) 787-8661
