The introduction of electronic identification (EID) tagging for cattle will be “inevitable”, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed told a pre-budget Oireachtas Committee hearing on Tuesday last. Based on last year’s calf registrations, this could cost farmers an additional €2.3m for tags.

“It is inevitable because it is the best available technology that it will become the identification process for the bovine sector,” he said.

The minister did not provide details on a timeline for the introduction of bovine EID tagging. However, given the concern over the cost of the introduction of EID tagging for sheep next year, he stated that the cost of the more expensive tag – at €3.95 for a set – would not be as big an issue to cattle farmers. “Relatively speaking, in respect of a bovine carcase as opposed to sheep carcase, it will more affordable in the context of the value of the carcase,’’ he said.