A protest is being organised by the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) over the introduction of mandatory EID tagging for sheep.

The demonstration will take place at the Department for Agriculture’s headquarters on Kildare street in Dublin at 12.30pm.

Earlier this month Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed announced that sheep sold from 1 October 2018 will have to be identified electronically, and a one off support measure up to €50 per keeper will be made on the first purchase of EID tags.

“The introduction of mandatory EID tagging will cost sheep farmers €2.5m per year. It has been done without warning or consultation at the behest of processors who are the only ones who will benefit. It is unacceptable that sheep farmers should bear all the cost,” ICSA sheep chairman John Brooks said.

The farmer organisation is also planning to use the protest to raise concerns with the clean lamb policy for stock presented at meat factories.

“We are demanding an immediate review of the implementation of the policy,” Brooks added.

Read more

Listen: Minister Creed and sheep farmers clash on tagging

Electronic tagging debate ignites

'Best available traceability technology' – Creed defends EID sheep tags