Minister Must Communicate New Tag Supply Arrangements to All Farmers

IFA Animal Health Chairman Bert Stewart has called on the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed to write immediately to all farmers outlining the new tag supply arrangements being implemented by his Department, and provide the details as to how farmers must now order their tags.

Bert Stewart said it is unacceptable that the Minister and his officials have allowed the situation to develop to the stage where tag orders are significantly behind previous years as we approach the critical calving period on farms.

“Delayed registrations and missed sales opportunities can have very serious repercussions for farmers and are now a real concern as a result of the failure of the Department of Agriculture to communicate the new supply arrangements directly to farmers. These require farmers to initiate contact with approved suppliers directly to order their tags, which is a fundamental shift from previous arrangements where order forms were sent to all farmers.”

Bert Stewart said in discussions with the Department of Agriculture in October this communication was agreed, but has not yet issued.

He said it is incumbent on the Minister and the Department of Agriculture to make every effort to ensure the timely reordering and supply of tags takes place and this must start with immediate direct communication with all farmers outlining the new arrangements.

Bert Stewart advised farmers to immediately contact approved tag suppliers to order their tag requirements for the coming year.