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All sheep sold from 1 October 2018 will have to be electronically tagged, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has announced.
A one-off support measure up to €50 per keeper will be made for the first purchase of EID tags, and EID tag readers will be made available under TAMS.
Lambs under 12 months moving directly to slaughter from their birth holding will require one electronic tag, while all other sheep will require a conventional tag and EID tag or bolus.
The minister has stated that the move will improve Irish sheepmeat traceability and help to open up new markets.
Insult to injury
IFA president Joe Healy said the announcement by Minister Creed on the imposition of compulsory electronic sheep tagging is adding insult to injury after the fodder crisis and the financial challenges sheep farmers have had to endure this winter.
Healy said the minister is ignoring farmers and appears to be dancing to the tune of the meat factories, which are pushing hardest for EID.
IFA national sheep chair Sean Dennehy said it was unacceptable that Minister Creed did not engage in any meaningful consultation with farmers on this move.
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