A new sheep tagging system will come into operation tomorrow morning. This means that all animals that are moving from farms to slaughterhouses must carry the new ear identification. Joe Walsh, Minister for Agriculture, said that the tags would be of real benefit for disease control and consumer assurance. One million ear tags have already been issued to sheep farmers and 7m animals will have been tagged by December. The tagging system, which will involve farmers, marts and meat factories, will mean that the animal will be traceable from farm of origin through to the eventual carcass.
Although farmers have resisted ear-tagging farmers in the past because of costs and additional paperwork, they are now prepared to go along with the new system to see if it will improve sales and boost consumer confidence. The system was agreed during the foot and mouth emergency when there were huge difficulties establishing the origin of suspect sheep. Minister Walsh said that the new system will involve a "culture change" but he said the shortcomings of the past are no longer acceptable. However, the IFA has complained that many farmers are experiencing delays in being supplied with tags.
