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, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has announced.

Sheep will be required to have two tags, one conventional and one electronic, with the exception of lambs under 12 months moving directly to slaughter from the holding of birth which will require a single electronic tag.

The Minister confirmed that a conventional tag and an EID bolus would also be accepted.

The improved traceability system will assist in maintaining existing markets

The Minister stated that “The improved traceability system will assist in maintaining existing markets and in securing new international outlets for Irish sheep meat, in line with the development goals for the sheep industry, as detailed in the Food Wise 2025 strategy”.

The lack of EID tagging has been an impediment to accessing potentially lucrative Asian markets, in particular Japan.

The Minister said “I am very keen to ensure that we make further progress in relation to sheep meat access to third countries in 2018 and beyond, including the USA, as well as considering the potential of sheep meat access to Japan and other markets.

“The introduction of full EID will allow us to further enhance our reputation as producers of traceable, sustainable, high quality sheep meat and will be vital in ensuring we can export our sheep meat into as many markets as possible”.

Electronic tag readers and associated equipment is to be included under TAMS.

Reaction

Farming organisations have slammed the decision, highlighting the additional burden on farmers. "The minister is ignoring farmers and appears to be dancing to the tune of the meat factories, which are pushing hardest for EID," said IFA president Joe Healy.

Both the IFA and the ICSA complained of insufficient consultation ahead of the announcement, adding that it came after similar difficulties over the recent implementation of the new clean livestock policy.

IFA sheep chair Sean Dennehy rejected Minister Creed's market access argument, saying that New Zealand has access to Asian markets without tagging for all sheep.

ICSA sheep chair John Brooks described systematic EID tagging as “completely over the top".

"The sheep farmer will ultimately have to bear all the costs associated and there will be no extra traceability post slaughter," he argued, adding that even the most ardent supporter of EID tagging had until now accepted that it should not be a requirement for lambs moving directly from farm of origin to factories.

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Sheepmeat markets will continue to evolve