There are similarities and differences in the systems for both animal identification and tissue testing for BVD in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland.
As reported on this page, the price of tags in NI includes the cost of the BVD tissue test, whereas the new tag set and BVD test are two separate transactions for farmers in the Republic.
In NI, prices for new tags start from £5.40 (€6.44) including VAT per set, and replacement tags can cost around £3.90 (€4.65). New tag prices depend on order size, with most suppliers in NI offering reduced prices for larger orders, as well the combination of primary (BVD) and secondary tags ordered in a set.
In the Republic of Ireland, the new contracts available from the Department this year allow more than one supplier to supply tags to farmers for the first time.
Prices for new tags alone start from €2.68, including both VAT and the 38c contribution to the ICBF. Prices for testing can vary from €2.90 to €3.70 depending on the laboratory and the number of tests sent. Replacement tags are available from one supplier free of charge. Postage for tissue samples is another cost and affects farmers on both sides of the border.
Most suppliers in NI can print tags on their premises, allowing a quick turnaround between orders and dispatch. Several companies allow replacement tags to be printed while the farmer waits or if ordered before post is collected, to be delivered the next day. New tags are usually ready in two to three working days.
In the Republic of Ireland, waiting times for tags tend to be longer. Replacement tags and small orders of new tags can be printed by suppliers and can take 24 to 48 hours for replacements and around a week for small orders. However, larger orders are printed by manufacturers and take one to three weeks depending on the time of year.
Sheep
Regarding sheep tagging, in NI, all sheep require both an EID tag and a conventional tag before they turn nine months of age or leave the holding, whichever is sooner.
The cheapest tags for short-term use (recommended for fat lambs) start from £0.95 (€1.13) including VAT, with the price of longer-term tags (recommended for breeding sheep) starting from £1.15 (€1.37).
In the Republic of Ireland, lambs under 12 months that are for slaughter require a single conventional slaughter tag, with prices starting from €0.18, including VAT.
Lambs under 12 months for sale in a mart require a single conventional mart tag, costing from €0.30.
Tags for breeding sheep over 12 months (one conventional and one EID) start from €1.30.
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