Fears are emerging that farmers may face delays in acquiring cattle tags this autumn. This will put farmers in breach of EU cattle identification rules and at risk of penalty, as well as endangering the hard-won reputation of Ireland’s beef on export markets. The Department of Agriculture is preparing an application process under which any tag company can seek approval to sell tags to farmers. It aims to have the new system operating by 1 November, just weeks away. That is when farmers begin ordering tags for next spring’s calves and also when the current tag supply contract expires.