REPUBLICPLUMPSFORTAGS
REPUBLICPLUMPSFORTAGS
Individual sheep tagging
came into force in the
Republic of Ireland at the
start of May, going further
than the flock-based system
used in the UK. Europe
editor Philip Clarke looks at
the motivations and details
behind the new scheme
IRELANDS decision to introduce individual sheep tagging this month could not be more timely.
The catastrophic outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain, and its more limited spread to Northern Ireland and then the Republic, has emphasised the need to track sheep movements better.
This point was made by Irish agriculture minister Joe Walsh at the launch of the new scheme in early April.
"It is an open secret that we have, in the past, met with resistance to the idea of sheep tagging. It has always been my view, however, that proper identification and traceability are absolutely essential. Recent events have served to re-enforce that view."
But there are other advantages to having a well-developed, individual tagging scheme, says Kevin Kinsella, sheep adviser with the Irish Farmers Association.
It will help in the battle against fraud, especially the cross-border trade between Northern Ireland and the Republic to cash in on VAT differentials.
"We have not been happy for some time with the controls that exist for movements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and know for a fact many of the sheep involved in that trade end up in the Republic," he says.
More important than this, is the boost the scheme will give to consumer confidence, especially in the all-important French market, where individual tagging has been the norm for nearly two years. "We want French consumers to go into Carrefour, Casino or Auchan and buy Irish lamb knowing it is backed by full traceability," says Mr Kinsella.
The new identification scheme will also prepare Ireland for predicted changes to EU legislation.
Current rules only require that sheep are permanently marked when they leave a holding. The UKs interpretation of this is that they only need to be identified with their flock number, either with an ear tag or a tattoo. This formed the basis of the new tagging scheme introduced at the start of the year.
But it seems likely that individual ID numbers could emerge in future EU legislation.
Speaking at a recent meeting of farm ministers in Sweden, EU food safety commissioner, David Byrne, pointed to the current weaknesses in sheep traceability systems throughout Europe. The ministers agreed that this needed reviewing in the light of the current F&M crisis.
If that is the case, then the Irish will be a step ahead.
Under the new system, all sheep will have to carry a white ear tag in the left ear by Dec 15 in the year of birth, displaying the flock number and an individual animal number, (see picture).
Sheep that move to other farms will require further ear tags in the right ear and all movements must be recorded. Imported sheep must carry red tags, with flock and individual ID numbers displayed.
"It will be an offence to trade in any sheep which are not tagged in accordance with the National Sheep Identification System," says the department of agriculture in Dublin. "Computer-based monitors and controls will be put in place."
Meat factories also have to play a full part in the scheme, linking individual tag numbers with individual carcass numbers.
This has been a point of contention with the Irish Farmers Association, which has called for the same ear tag number to go onto the actual carcass.
"Only by doing this can the trade guarantee that lamb labelled as Irish, actually comes from Ireland," says Mr Kinsella. "The department of agriculture has informed us that this will become a requirement."
Mr Kinsella admits that the scheme will mean extra effort by farmers, and more bureaucracy for all. "But at the end of the day it is very necessary," he says. "Our main market, France, already has individual traceability. Our main competitor – the UK – does not." *
IRISH SHEEP TAGGING SCHEME
• All sheep tagged in left ear with white tag bearing flock number and individual number.
• All movements on to and off farm to be recorded by tag number in flock register within seven days.
• All movements to be accompanied by a dispatch document (in triplicate) listing tag numbers.
• If sheep moved to another farm, new owner to insert his own white tag with flock and individual number in right ear.
• If sheep moved to a third farm, second tag in right ear to be replaced by new white tag, with new flock and individual number.
• If tags are lost, a yellow replacement tag, (R tag), is to be used.
• Live auction marts to record all flock numbers of animals sold and to stamp the dispatch document.
• Meat factories to check all animals received have ear tags and stamp dispatch document.
• Meat factories to record the link between ear tag number and carcass number.
• If all tags have been lost, animal to be destroyed unless department of agriculture satisfied as to its identity.
• Imported sheep to carry red ear tags, (I tags), with flock and individual numbers, plus any existing tags.
• It will be an offence to buy, sell, own or process any untagged sheep.
• Tag details and animal movements to be monitored by a central computer.
IRISH TAGGING SCHEME
• Introduced this month.
• Individual animal numbers.
• Further tags when moved.