Mullinahone Co-op’s Euro Tags has received approval from the Department of Agriculture to sell identification tags to cattle farmers. It was the first company approved under the new tag regime, which came into effect on Tuesday.
The approval runs to the end of 2017 and can be extended by the Department. It covers the full range of cattle tags – including conventional, tissue sample, electronic and bolus tags. Euro Tags stated there would now inevitably be an increase in its tag prices, which have not changed since 2012.
Galway-based Cormac Tags is hoping to get Department approval before the weekend to sell the full range of Caisley tags. Spokesperson Ursula Kelly said the firm was ready to start supplying cattle tags and would launch a new cattle and sheep tag website next week.
Once a number of suppliers have been approved, the Department of Agriculture will write to cattle farmers detailing the new arrangements and how to order tags.
The new regime also introduces a new all-numeric cattle tag with the numbers 372 replacing the previously used letters IE to show Ireland is the country of origin of the animal.
IFA animal health chair Bert Stewart reacted to the indication of price increases for cattle tags. This strengthens the case for financial support by the Department towards tag costs and towards the cost of the extended BVD testing programme, he said.
“Any increase in tag costs will be a direct result of decisions taken by the Department, and Minister Creed must protect farmers from increases,” he said.
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