The National Sheep Identification System (NSIS) - prompted over traceability concerns exposed by the foot-and-mouth crisis - will start on June 21st.
The Minister for Agriculture Mr Walsh, said: "From that date, all sheep moving off holdings, whether to slaughter plants, marts or other holdings, must be tagged in accordance with NSIS". All remaining sheep must be tagged by December 15th.
"I see NSIS as a landmark development, which will bring badly-needed traceability, transparency and accountability to the sheep sector. It will take in flock-owners, marts, meat factories and others and will, I firmly believe, work to the benefit of the Irish sheep sector as a whole in terms of marketing, consumer assurance, disease monitoring and control and compliance with our EU obligations."
The Minister said the June 21st date was to allow sheep owners time to order and receive their tags.
From next Friday, flock-owners will be able to order tags from any of the approved NSIS tag suppliers.
"I would encourage flock-owners, particularly those intending to move animals off holdings after June 21st, to order their tags now. It is in their own interests to ensure that they have a supply of tags with which to tag animals moving after that date as it will be illegal to trade in untagged sheep. Such animals will not be accepted by marts or meat factories nor will it be legal for any other purchaser to buy them".
Each flock owner will receive an information pack explaining how NSIS will operate, what flock-owners will have to do and a list of approved tag suppliers.
An NSIS helpline (1890 504 604), has been set up to help farmers. It will operate each weekday between the hours of 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Meanwhile, test results from a suspect sheep in Co Carlow have tested negative, according to the Department of agriculture.
