The Premises ID Program
Since 2011, the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries (MAFF) has offered voluntary premises ID registration for anyone with animals. Registering for a Premises ID is a way for farm animal owners and site operators to protect the health and safety of their own animals and other animals in B.C.
What is the Premises ID?
The premises ID is a 9-digit code attached to a specific geographic area in which animals are kept. It is one of the pillars of the BC animal traceability system. The premises ID contains the following information about the location:
- Legal land description
- Geo-coordinates (e.g. latitude and longitude)
- Emergency contact information
- Premises type (e.g. ranch or feedlot)
- Animal type (e.g. list of all animal types on the premises)
- Maximum animal capacity (gives an idea of the scale)
Regulation
Starting in 2022 it will be mandatory for a premises where one or more animals (please visit site here for full list of types of animals) are either kept or assembled to be registered with the Premises ID program.
The regulation will not be strictly enforced by the BC government but instead program staff will focus on education and outreach combined with cross-compliance measures to encourage premises ID registration.
However, according to the Policy Intentions Paper, animal owners will be increasingly required to provide their premises ID number to access funding and (or) government services, or to obtain or renew certain licenses issued by MAFF or other provincial government agencies.
Who can register?
Anyone who keeps animals can and should register for a premises ID. This includes everyone, from a person keeping a single horse as a pet, to a full scale, industrialized operation.
Why Register?
The Premise ID is used to improve the response to disease outbreaks or natural disasters. The information contained in the premise ID can be used by emergency responders to locate farm animals, notify and communicate with farm owners/operators, estimate animal numbers for evacuation planning, and facilitate the re-entry process for operators/owners in affected areas. Premise ID information was used during the 2017-2018 wildfire season and significantly reduced the death of animals.
It increases the ability of the Ministry of Agriculture to coordinate and collaborate with other provincial agencies and local authorities involved in environmental emergency response efforts.
How to Register
You can either complete the application
- Online
- Have ready
- Legal Business Name of your business enterprise (if applicable)
- Location details, preferably the BC Land Titles Parcel ID, of your primary premises
- Primary contact information regarding the different species located on your premises
- Have ready
- Or download the paper pdf
Submit the completed forms
By Mail:
BCPID, Ministry of Agriculture
1767 Angus Campbell Road
Abbotsford, BC V3G 2M3
By Email:
For all the information on the program, check out:
- The BC Government website
- The Premises ID Policy Intentions Paper
- The Premises ID Discussion Paper
- And the FAQ
