Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has announced significant changes to the proposed planned implementation of mandatory electronic tagging (EID tagging).

While some of the changes, including delaying the introduction of mandatory tagging from 1 October 2018 to 1 June 2019 have been cautiously welcomed, farmers and farm organisations continue to voice their opposition around a number of elements of the planned proposals.

The changes will see a two-phased approach with the first changes coming into play on 1 October 2018. From this date, tag suppliers will no longer sell permanent tags with farmers having the option to purchase a single electronic tag or the existing EID tag sets.

Existing tags

Farmers can continue to use their existing tag supplies, including factory and permanent tags until 1 June 2019, at which stage there will only be two options of tagging. A single electronic tag can be used where lambs less than 12 months of age are moving directly off the holding of birth to slaughter with all other movements requiring sheep to possess an EID tag set.

Farm organisations say the changes do not go far enough with farmers faced with additional annual costs of in excess of €2m.

IFA president Joe Healy said proposing a once-off subvention of €100 on tags completely underestimates the costs involved, while ICSA sheep chair John Brooks said the decision to defer mandatory introduction is kicking the can down the road and not tackling the real issue of higher costs.

ICOS has reacted strongly to the different tagging requirements for lambs going direct for slaughter and slaughter-fit lambs traded in marts, with Ray Doyle stating that the move is distorting the trade with farmers trading in marts forced to bear an additional costs and labour input.

Meanwhile, Meat Industry Ireland’s Cormac Healy has welcomed the announcement stating that it will aid the promotion and marketing of Irish lamb.

Healy said there needs to be industry-wide engagement in promoting and facilitating greater participation among farmers in the Bord Bia Sustainable Beef and Lamb quality assurance scheme.