There is just one week remaining for sheep farmers to apply for the sheep EID tag subsidy which closes on 30 September 2019.

The Department of Agriculture has reminded farmers who have not ordered sheep tags since 1 October 2018 that there is just a short time left to order electronic tags to avail of the payment.

The Department is subsidising a farmer’s first EID tag order by €1/tag up to a maximum of €100 per farmer. To qualify a minimum of 10 tags must be ordered.

To date, payments of more than €1.4m have been made to sheep farmers.

Payment

Farmers do not need to apply for payment as the Department’s systems can determine eligibility and payment due. The final payment for tags ordered between 1 July and 30 September will be made at the end of October.

Electronic tags are required under new EID rules which have been in place since 1 June 2019. All sheep and lambs moving from any holding must now be identified electronically.

Single tag

Lambs under 12 months moving direct to slaughter from farm of birth require a single electronic tag in the right ear. All other movements including lambs to marts, farm-to-farm, or shows require a full set of EID tags. Electronic bolus sets are also acceptable.