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The ICSA is calling for lambs up to the age of six weeks to be exempt from the requirement for both ears to be tagged.
The requirement to tag both ears on young lambs sold through marts is unwarranted and must be abolished, ICSA sheep chair Seán McNamara has said.
He has said that there is “no logic” to the requirement.
“It causes enormous stress to the lambs themselves and it does nothing to enhance traceability,” he said.
Exemption
“[The] ICSA is calling for lambs up to the age of six weeks to be exempt from this requirement, whether they are being sold through the mart or to other farms.
“Lambs at this age are still with the breeding ewe and, as such, the ewe tag should suffice for her offspring for this six-week period,” he said.
Burden
He said that small lambs should not be subjected to this “totally unnecessary burden” for no reason.
“It is an absurd requirement that has no benefit. This is an animal welfare issue and sheep farmers are completely justified in looking for this to be changed,” he said.
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