Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has defended his decision to make electronic identification (EID) tagging compulsory for all sheep sold from 1 October in the face of opposition from most farm organisations. “EID is the best available technology for traceability,” Minister Creed said, adding that “it is an issue in terms of market access”.

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An Irish Farmers Journal calculation puts the extra cost of the measure at almost €2m per year. IFA president Joe Healy raised the cost issue at a meeting with Minister Creed this week. IFA sheep chair Sean Dennehy said the 35,000 sheep farmers cannot be expected to carry all of the costs for EID when the main benefit goes to a small number of factories, the marts, the Department and tag manufacturers.

Other farm organisations including the ICSA, ICMSA and INHFA also opposed the move on cost grounds and lack of prior consultation. Minister Creed countered that consultations on the issue have taken place since 2015 and the risk of a disease outbreak justifies EID tagging.

He said processors, pedigree breeders and Macra supported the measure. “Our members see benefits to this system,” said Macra president James Healy, but “savings must be passed on to the farmer, who is carrying all of the risk in this situation”.

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