The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) completed 2,277 IDR (identification and registration) inspections in the first six months of 2026.

IDR inspections assess farmers compliance with livestock identification, registration and movement regulations.

Under the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the department has been managing cases of non-compliance on livestock traceability through fixed payment notices.

In the event of serious non-compliance with livestock identification and movement rules being found, the department has the power to issue a fixed payment notice at a flat rate of €250.

Failure to pay that penalty within 28 days could result in a court appearance and an increased risk of further inspection.

This system replaced the previous cross compliance approach where a penalty was deducted from a farmer’s direct payments.

DAFM

Up to the end of June, the department said 160 herds have been issued with compliance notices (advising of a herd restriction) in relation to serious identification, registration and movement non-compliances.

"To date, 25 withdrawal notices have been issued to farmers who have engaged with the department to resolve the non-compliances identified at the inspection," a DAFM spokesperson told Agriland.

In 2025, the department completed 4,333 IDR inspections, with 461 herds issued with compliance notices for serious non-compliances.

To date, 411 withdrawal notices have been issued to farmers who have engaged with the department to resolve the non-compliances identified at the inspection.

"The department is currently reviewing all herds that remain restricted following an IDR inspection and are considering the next steps required," the spokesperson said.

IDR inspections

According to the department, trends identified at IDR inspections show that farmers who were issued with compliance notices had "multiple tagging and record keeping non-compliances".

To avoid an IDR compliance notice, DAFM reminded farmers of the following:

Tag all livestock by tagging deadlines;
Register all calves within seven days of tagging;
Notify movements of all livestock promptly;
Replace lost tags promptly;
Keep the herd/flock register up-to-date at all times.