Welcome for end of cattle tags sole supplier

CATTLE tags now look set to be available from different outlets over the coming months following a decision by the Dept. of Agriculture last week to withdraw a tendering process for one operator to supply them all.

Up until now, Mullinahone Co-op in Tipperary had the contract for the supply of the tags to Irish farmers but a number of other potential suppliers raised legal issues the latest tender process.

Last week, the Dept. of Agriculture confirmed that the current tender system for one outlet to supply all the tags was not being continued – it now seems certain that farmers will have a choice as to who supplies their tags.

However suppliers of tags will have to be quality assured in terms of the tags themselves, the service provided and the issuing of birth registration documents.

The decision by the Dept. of Agriculture has been welcomed by Galway East TD Seán Canney, Minister of State for OPW and Flood Relief who said that he had repeatedly raised concerns over the tendering process.

“This is good news for farmers. The introduction of multiple suppliers for sheep tags resulted in better prices for farmers and I believe that this latest decision will ultimately result in more competition in the cattle tag market and a better outcome for farmers,” said Sean Canney.

He said that he wished to acknowledge the swift action taken by Minister Michael Creed in relation to this issue adding that he had taken the correct decision to withdraw the current process and start afresh.

“I am delighted that the State has taken on board the advice received in relation to the current tendering process and I look forward to a more flexible regime which will prove beneficial to all concerned,” said Deputy Canney.

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) said that it was completely untenable to maintain a monopoly situation in relation to the supply of tags.