Ireland: MMI demands larger grant for cattle EID facilities at marts

Mart Managers of Ireland (MMI) has called on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to “dramatically increase” the grant available to marts to install electronic identification (EID) facilities for cattle. Under the Cattle EID Livestock Mart Grant Aid Scheme, which opened for applications in January, marts can apply for 40% of the total cost of the eligible upgrades made, up to a maximum total payment of €8,000. The department said that funding is available only for the upgrading of facilities to electronically read and record the identification details of cattle being traded. Eligible investments will include the installation or upgrading of wi-fi, electronic reading equipment, software development, hardware purchase and the purchase of tablet computers. Grant aid will not be given for any other improvements made by applicant marts. The closing date for receipt of applications is September 30, 2023. EID The department introduced mandatory EID of cattle from ...