Mixed responses to new cattle tags from farming groups
The department said it has met potential tag suppliers and has invited them to apply to supply bovine identification ear tags.
Following a meeting with department officials, ICSA president Patrick Kent said it was vital there would be real competition as soon as the new regime commences on November 1.
“ICSA has long favoured competition between tag suppliers in order to give farmers the best chance of value for money, top service and durable tags,” said Mr Kent.
“ICSA believes that farmers, not department officials, are best placed to determine value for money and the durability of tags.”
Mr Kent said greater competition would also continuously improve the quality of the tag and the turnaround time for delivering tags for new-born calves.
Competition will also incentivise companies to continuously seek efficiencies and to keep margins tight, he said.
The EU Commission said it will take a number of months to consider an application by Ireland for new proposed standards relating to tag approval, notably that the tags are tamper-proof and are not re-usable.
The new arrangements will remain in place until December 31, 2017.
However, IFA animal health chair Bert Stewart has strongly criticised the move.
He said said the cornerstone of the BVD programme to date has been the efficient sampling and testing approach provided to all farmers through the use of the national ID tag.
He urged the department to ensure that all approved suppliers are in a position to deliver a timely, efficient service with tags that are suitable for Irish livestock production systems with minimal loss rates.
Meanwhile, Patrick Kent has also told the department that farmers must be made aware tag costs include a 38c voluntary levy to ICBF.
“We want to ensure the tag ordering process makes this clear and that farmers have a straightforward choice in opting in or opting out of this levy,” he said.
