"And while we are still awaiting the fine details of the scheme, its implementation will mean that herdowners can now start to make meaningful use of the Internet in ways that will save them valuable time and money.
"Under the new scheme farmers can now come to Farmrite and, after giving us identification details and permission to act as their agent, we can thereafter get the necessary authorisation via the Internet on their behalf and proceed to manufacture and print the tags.''
Philip added that the new system, which has been developed by DARD through its e-government initiative, the 'RuralNI' Portal, means that Farmrite can obtain authorisation for cattle ear tag ordering on behalf of named clients. The 'RuralNI' Portal is accessible via the Internet - www.ruralni.gov.uk.
"I would also encourage for farmers to register for Aphis Online. Individual farmers who have taken this step can use the service to obtain approval for both new and replacement tags for themselves,'' said Philip Crawford.
Portadown-based Farmrite, now one of the fastest-growing farm merchanting businesses in the British Isles, provides a computerised tag printing service for herdowners.
Philip Crawford is totally committed to the development of e trading options for all his farmer customers.
Last year, Farmrite was selected as one of the regional winners in the E Trading section of the prestigious United Kingdom online for business/InterForum ECommerce Awards.
The company, which retails animal health products, animal care equipment and general farm sundries, was selected because of its highly successful website - www.farmrite.co.uk - through which it trades with farmers the length and breadth of the British Isles. "I am fully aware of the growing use of the Internet on farms,'' concluded Philip Crawford.
"DARD has previously committed itself to developing ways of making services available electronically. And there's no doubt that the recent ear tag ordering announcement is a major step in this direction!''
Quelle: Farming Life
