Premises Identification became mandatory in Alberta on January 1, 2009 under Alberta's Animal Health Act.
Premises Identification (PID), one of the pillars of traceability, links livestock and poultry to land locations or premises. Alberta’s PID Program was established to plan for, control, and prevent the spread of agricultural diseases. It is also used as an early warning system to notify animal owners of a natural disaster such as a flood or fire that could affect their animals or operations. Read how the PID system is used in emergency situations.
By completing a PID Application and keeping your information up-to-date, you will take an important step in protecting your animals and those of other Alberta and Canadian producers.
If you are an owner of livestock or poultry in Alberta you are required to obtain a Premises Identification (PID) account and to obtain a PID number. A PID number is a unique identifying number assigned to a specific piece of property. If you operate co-mingling sites (a site where animals of more than one owner are housed together) you are also required to obtain a PID account, register the site(s) and inform the animal owners of the PID number.
Personal information collected under the PID program is protected by Alberta's privacy laws.
Sheep owners are required to have a PID Number to:
- Buy medication for your animals at retail outlets (this requirement took effect on July 1, 2014 as part of amendments to the Animal Health Act)
- Complete movement documents such as manifests and permits, if required, when transporting your animals
- Sell livestock at auction markets
- Apply for government sponsored agriculture grants and programs
- Buy mandatory CSIP ear tags
For more information about the PID program and to apply for a PID number, please visit: the Alberta Agriculture website.