A stateside livestock business, Destron Fearing, the St Paul, Minnesota-based leader in animal stock identification systems since 1945, has appointed a Co Tyrone firm to market their products.

Countryside Services Ltd, Dungannon is to sell their products across the UK and Irish Republic.

"The robust and technologically advanced Destron Fearing range of ear tags are compatible with applicators already used on farms across the British Isles," explained David Mark, Managing Director Countryside Services, (pictured left, with David Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer, Destron Fearing).

"As EID, electronic identification, becomes the norm in the EU this link between Countryside Services and Destron Fearing will give farmers access to technology that saves time and effort in safely reading numbers and keeping accurate, up to date records.

"Records vital to both meeting animal health regulations and selecting livestock for more efficient production."

Based in the US mid west, Destron Fearing recently won a Danish government contract to supply all livestock tags for at least four years.

Part of the Digital Angel group Destron Fearing does business worldwide thus Countryside Services becoming exclusive UK and ROI agent is a major tribute to an innovative company founded by the Ulster Farmers' Union in 1998.

With manufacturing and distribution facilities in Northern Ireland and at recently acquired Countryside Earlsmere of Barnsley, Yorkshire this farmer owned operation produces tags on the day of order for same day despatch anywhere in the British Isles.

Continuing growth in throughput at Dungannon seems certain to generate additional employment opportunities, including several at graduate level.

Managing Director David Mark adding that the current weakness of the pound against the euro was a major window of opportunity for Destron Fearing and Countryside Services to build sales in the Irish Republic.

"More good news for farmers as increased throughput stabilises ear tag production costs," he said.

See: www.countrysideservices.com

(BMcC/GK)