ICMSA critical of sheep-tagging decision
THE ICMSA has criticised a decision by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine to introduce mandatory EID sheep tagging before slaughter.
The measure which is set to be in place from October 1, demonstrates ‘a complete lack of understanding of the sheep sector’ according to Denis Carroll, Deputy Chair of ICMSA Livestock Committee.
Wicklow will be particularly challenged by the new rules give the high levels of sheep farmers operating in the county.
Mr Carroll indicated that there has not been adequate consultation with stakeholders.
‘A meeting held over two years ago on sheep tagging is not a substitute for a proper consultation of the matter and we are bitterly disappointed that stakeholders weren’t adequately consulted on this matter’, he said.
He challenged Minister Michael Creed to ‘demonstrate exactly’ what benefits will go to farmers who pay for the mandatory EID tagging.
The new regulations mean that all sheep sent for slaughter must be EID tagged or bolused.
‘ There is no logic to this regulation: the EID tag provides no additional transparency for markets. While there is a benefit for abattoirs and marts in terms of efficiency, there is zero benefit for the farmers but the cost of this measure is being totally borne by the farmer with EID tags three times more expensive than conventional tags,’ Mr Carroll added.
He said that more and more regulation is resulting in cost being imposed on the farmers, for which they will receive none of the benefits.
‘ The Minister has stated that this will provide for an improved traceability system which will assist marketing strategies. We challenge the Minister to actually demonstrate this additional benefit before lumping these prohibitive extra costs on farmers. Our question is what exactly are we paying for and what exactly do the farmers bearing the cost get out of this?,’ he said.
CATTLE SALES REPORT - THURSDAY MAY 10: A total of 296 cattle and 40 calves on offer. Good trade for the stronger cattle, both bullocks and heifers. Plainer types met with a similar trade to last week.
Beef & Forward Bullocks €640 to €960 over €/kg; Store Bullocks over 500kgs €600 to €900 over €/kg; Store Bullocks over 400kgs €460 to €800 over €/kg; Store Bullocks over 300kgs €360 to €620 over €/kg; Beef & Butcher Heifers €550 to €900 over €/kg; Store Heifers over 400kgs €420 to €740 over €/kg; Store Heifers over 300Kgs €360 to €615 over €/kg; Beef Cows €280 to €680 over €/kg; Feeding Cows €160 to €280 over €/kg
Calves: Fr Bulls €130 to €240 per head; HE/AA Bulls €140 to €300 per head; HE/AA Heifers €120 to €280 per head.
SHEEP SALE MAY 10: Smaller sale with 1285 sheep on offer. We saw a very strong trade for spring lambs, hoggetts & cull
MART REPORT TUESDAY MAY 8: Another large sale for the day of the year in Tullow with lambs good to report better by €1 or €2 on last weeks trade and the hgts remaining steady.
Those fleshed hoggets today over 50kg selling in the region from €140 up to a tops of €152 today with the majority between €145 and €150 while the store type hgts over 41kg selling in the region of €105 upwards with 42kg making €116, 43kg making €120 while some fleshed hgts 45kg to 50kg selling in the region from €130 up to €144.
The Spring lambs €1 or €2 better today with those 40kg lambs selling in the region from €129 up to €134 depending on quality with the 40kg to 43kg lambs selling in the mid €134 up to €142 with some of those 43kg making €100 and €102 with the kg with the heavier spring lambs making a very lively trade selling from €105 up to €110 with the kg.
Cast ewes no great change. Feeding ewes from €15 with the kg the younger type ewe up to €30 with the kg with the heavy ewes up to a tops of €145 and a big demand for those heavier fleshed ewes and ewes with lambs at foot really setting a blazing trade today in the ring. Singles 8 ewes with singles from €160 and younger ewes with twin lambs at foot up to a tops today of €272 and a bundle of hgts with single lambs at foot making €230 per unit.
Very lively trade and a good number of sheep for the day of the year.