January 20th 2001

Sheep tagging to be based on flock numbers

The Minister for Agriculture Joe Walsh has confirmed that the new sheep tagging system to be introduced next year will be based on flock numbers but he says farmers will have the option of individual tagging.

The intention is to have the new tagging regime in place from next March.

The Minister revealed that all sheep on farms will have to be tagged in the left ear within six months of birth or on movement off farm, whichever is the sooner.

"While certain minimum specifications will be laid down, the type of tag to be used will be left to the farmer's choice," he said.

"In addition it is proposed that a lightweight short-term tag will be permitted for lambs going directly from the farm to slaughter," the Minister said. "In other instances a more durable tag will be used."

"Additional movements between holdings will be traced via additional tagging," he added.

Joe Walsh also said that the UK sheep identification system, to commence on January 1st next, is also based on flock tagging while the French national system requires the individual tagging of all sheep within 30 days of birth.