Vol. 478 No. 2
139 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the inordinate delay in the supply of ear tags to farmers in relation to calves under 21 days, and in relation to the supply of tags to a person (details supplied); and the steps, if any, he will take to expedite matters. [10931/97]
There is no inordinate delay in the supply of ear tags in respect of calves of any age. All herdowners should already have received supplies of tags for 1997. Those who have not received sufficient supplies — invariably because they failed to register the birth of calves in 1996 as required — may apply for additional tags through their local District Veterinary Office. All herdowners have been advised by letter from my Department to allow three to four week's notice when ordering extra tags.
A total of 75 tags issued to date to the person referred to in this question. He did not, as instructed, register on an ongoing basis during 1996 the majority of animals born in his herd in 1996 — in fact registration was not completed until very recently. Failure to register as required in 1996 resulted in the issue of a nominal supply of tags in 1997. The person in question applied for 20 extra tags at the end of March and this request has now been approved. The extra tags will issue shortly.
