“With growing price convergence in the marketplace, it is imperative that the Irish sheep sector finds ways to differentiate its offering to consumers.  The full introduction of EID (Electronic Identification) for sheep provides just such an opportunity,” said Michael Spellman, Chairman of the ICOS National Marts Committee.

Mr. Spellman was speaking at the launch of an ICOS paper on the subject, the first topic in a new MartProgress update from ICOS around co-operative mart related matters.   MartProgress will be published at least twice a year covering key policy issues.

The ICOS Marts Committee would like to see the full introduction of EID for all sheep movements while continuing to implement the slaughter derogation for all lambs under 12 months of age – where these lambs are moving directly to slaughter from the farm of origin to the market factory.  This would translate into all sheep (except lambs under 12 months) to be EID tagged on leaving their holdings of origin.

“We need to be aware of trends among domestic producers and exporters in our target markets.  From a sheep rearing perspective, the main development we are noticing is a fuller adoption of the EID standard. It is also the case that Northern Ireland has full sheep EID which creates an anomaly between the two jurisdictions.”

“EID will present marketing advantages which the Irish sheep meat sector needs to embrace,” said Michael Spellman.  “There are of course some complexities involved in any new system but Irish sheep farmers are among the very best in the world and Ireland has already adopted a one tag for life approach for movement traceability.   The adoption of full EID will enhance flock management where it will allow for more efficient animal recording and more streamlined sale and movement between farms, marts and processors.  More importantly, it will ensure differentiation, competitiveness and consumer appeal for our sheep meat exports on international markets where traceability and quality must be continually assured.”

“Now, more than ever, the Irish sheep meat industry must put its best foot forward and lead rather than follow the sector worldwide.  This will demonstrate the uniqueness of our meat offer and it will signal further that our supply chain assurance systems are unrivalled in the marketplace.  For this reason, ICOS is calling on the industry and the Department of Agriculture to embrace a fuller EID system within the sheep sector,” Mr. Spellman concluded.

ICOS – the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society – represents 130 co-operative businesses and organisations in Ireland – including the co-operative livestock marts nationwide and the dairy processing co-operatives – with some 150,000 individual members, 12,000 employees in Ireland (a further 24,000 abroad) and combined turnover of €10 billion. Irish agricultural exports contribute over €7 billion to the Irish economy each year and the sector accounts for 8% of national employment.

For further information please contact:

Tim Kinsella 086 813 7512 / tim@mkc.ie

For press releases, media kits and more visit the ICOS website at www.icos.ie