'Overly bureaucratic': NI Government criticised for cattle identity procedures

DAERA has been criticised for complicated procedures surrounding cattle identity issues
DAERA has been criticised for complicated procedures surrounding cattle identity issues

Northern Irish farmers have labelled the Department of Agriculture's (DAERA) cattle identity procedures as 'complicated' and 'overly bureaucratic'.

The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has confirmed that it has been in discussions with DAERA for some time over potential cattle identity problems.

Deputy president, Victor Chestnutt, said the UFU's message throughout had been that DAERA needs to work with farmers to find speedy solutions to identity queries.

“We have made clear our concerns about the complicated procedures DAERA use to resolve identity queries. Often these are down to simple human error and are about the sex, colour or breed of the animal,” said Mr Chestnutt.

'Rigid approach'

He said DAERA's "rigid approach" is "overly bureaucratic, creating unnecessary frustration" for farmers.

“When DAERA is unwilling to resolve identity queries, the movement of cattle is restricted. They can only go direct for slaughter. This is limiting farmers' marketing options, potentially reducing the animal’s value while creating practical problems on the farm,” warned the UFU deputy president.

The UFU has said that farmers across Northern Ireland want flexibility from DAERA.

The farming union believes this would allow the majority of identity queries to be resolved quickly on the farm, and without risk to the integrity of traceability.

“Farmers here keep detailed herd records and we have a world-leading traceability system that should allow for mistakes to be corrected.

“A common sense solution from DAERA could maintain the traceability of our cattle, while ensuring as many as possible secure their full value from the market,” said Mr Chestnutt.