Compulsory double-tag aims to end fraud risk
Compulsory double-tag aims to end fraud risk
DOUBLE tagging is now compulsory for cattle in the Irish Republic, and producers are legally bound to tag cattle born on their farm.
The legislation, introduced in April last year, is designed for traceability and to reduce fraud.
According to Tullamore-based Department of Agriculture vet Miriam Finn there were teething concerns, mainly with tags not matching and producers failing to register cattle after tagging.
Under the system, producers have to tag calves with a large plastic tag in their left ear, and with a button tag in the other ear within 30 days of birth. A white form is submitted to the Department of Agriculture, with a blue form pre-printed with the tag number – the cattle identification card – being kept on farm by the producer.
If cattle lose a tag they have to be retagged with the same number, and a form is included in boxes of tags for this purpose. According to the Departments Lisa Woods, re-issuing one tag will cost IR£1.40, two tags IR£1.80, with post and packing costing IR£1.50. "Turn-around is quick, and there are no duplication concerns, as tags come from only one manufacturer."
Mrs Finn says that while producers initially used a third tag for management information, they are now choosing to rely on official tag numbers as management numbers.
Producers were also concerned about cattle losing tags, but that has been less of a difficulty than anticipated, says the departments John Murphy. "Button tags appear to be more vulnerable, but, overall, tag loss rates were only 4%, with only 0.7% of cattle losing both tags."
The Irish Department of Agriculture says producers have adapted well to double tagging. Computers at the event allowed records to be updated.