Cattle identity system confirmed

Ireland: Another initiative to improve the accuracy and integrity of the cattle identification system was confirmed yesterday.

From next Saturday, all cattle previously identified with brass tags may not be moved, except directly from a farm to a slaughter house, unless they are double tagged with plastic tags representing the animal’s original identity.

Otherwise, they will be returned to the owner and movement of the animal will be restricted pending proper identification.

Minister Joe Walsh said the decision follows from a project to provide farmers with plastic tags to supplement the identification of older animals. The minister also wants animals moving direct for slaughter to bear double plastic tags.