The Department of Agriculture has been called on to ease the rules regarding the sale of cattle with one tag at marts.
The South and West Constituency of Kerry County Council tabled a motion on Monday calling for an exception to made to the two-tage rule, which would see cattle with only one tag allowed be sold in marts.
The motion, which was passed unanimously, was brought forward by Dan McCarthy, who is also the Manager of Kenmare Mart.
Speaking to Agriland, McCarthy said the motion will now be presented to the Minister of Agriculture and it will seek to change the rules to allow cattle that have lost one tag be sold in the ring.
He said that if the motion was accepted, marts would apply for the missing tag once the animal has been sold and forward it to the purchaser.
The seller of the animal would cover the cost of the replacement tag, which would be around €5.
“The rule change would be basic common sense,” he said.
The Kenmare-based Councilor said that there at least 3-4 cattle turned away from every sale, as they are missing one tag and this can be a considerable cost to the farmer.
McCarthy also said that the rule change would save farmers money on transport costs.
“Most farmers pay for a lorry to bring their cattle to the sale, if an animal was turned away they would have to bring the animal home and pay for transport on another day.
Some farmers are spending €75 for the three extra journeys.
Cattle can be killed in the factory with one tag, he said and the two-tag rule is discriminating against marts, as farmers may send cattle with one tag to the factory but not the mart.