While it will be compulsory for farmers to tag all sheep with electronic tags from 1 June, it will be optional for factories and marts to install systems to read those tags.
“The Department is making us piggy in the middle on this,” said Iveagh Mart manager Mike Kissane.
ADVERTISEMENT
Marts handling the majority of sheep in Kerry do not intend to install electronic tag readers as part of the Department’s plan to implement compulsory EID tagging for sheep.
While it will be compulsory for farmers to tag all sheep and lambs with electronic tags from 1 June, it will be optional for factories and marts to install systems to read them. The Department said the extension of EID tagging to all sheep is required to improve traceability, which will aid in maintaining and opening markets.
Dingle, Iveragh, Mid-Kerry and Kenmare Marts have all said increased costs to install and run an EID system means they will be opting out.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The Department is making us piggy in the middle on this,” said Iveragh mart manager Mike Kissane. He said margins were already tight and the installation of an EID system would not provide any benefits to justify the cost.
The practicalities were questioned by Dingle mart manager Nelius McAuliffe, who said it would require hiring extra staff and would delay marts on sale day.
Dan McCarthy, Kenmare Mart manager, said the mart would not be able to read 3,000 sheep in the space of two hours.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
However, if you would like to share the information in this article, you may use the headline, summary and link below:
Title: Marts not intending to install sheep EID readers
While it will be compulsory for farmers to tag all sheep with electronic tags from 1 June, it will be optional for factories and marts to install systems to read those tags.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Marts handling the majority of sheep in Kerry do not intend to install electronic tag readers as part of the Department’s plan to implement compulsory EID tagging for sheep.
While it will be compulsory for farmers to tag all sheep and lambs with electronic tags from 1 June, it will be optional for factories and marts to install systems to read them. The Department said the extension of EID tagging to all sheep is required to improve traceability, which will aid in maintaining and opening markets.
Dingle, Iveragh, Mid-Kerry and Kenmare Marts have all said increased costs to install and run an EID system means they will be opting out.
“The Department is making us piggy in the middle on this,” said Iveragh mart manager Mike Kissane. He said margins were already tight and the installation of an EID system would not provide any benefits to justify the cost.
The practicalities were questioned by Dingle mart manager Nelius McAuliffe, who said it would require hiring extra staff and would delay marts on sale day.
Dan McCarthy, Kenmare Mart manager, said the mart would not be able to read 3,000 sheep in the space of two hours.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS