Vol. 501 No. 1
42 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress, if any, achieved regarding the introduction of the cattle traceability programme; and the timetable for putting the national beef assurance scheme on a statutory footing. [5209/99]
I am pleased to report that continued progress is being made on the implementation of the national beef assurance scheme, including the animal traceability elements. Phase one of the computerised cattle movement monitoring system, which was introduced on 28 September last, is operating well. Farmers and dealers are notifying private sales of cattle and the number of marts recording the movement of animals through their premises has now doubled. It is expected that all marts will be in a position to record and transmit details of animal movements shortly. Arrangements to extend the system to meat plants are being finalised at present. The system has already been piloted successfully in five plants and roll-out to the general body of plants is expected to commence early next month. Progress is also being made in relation to the extension of the system to live export points and to other operators.
The Government authorised the drafting of a Bill to put the national beef assurance scheme on a statutory footing on 17 November last. Drafting has commenced and my Department is working closely with the parliamentary draftsman's office on this matter. The Bill will, in particular, underpin the wider elements of the scheme, including the standards to be applied by farms, meat plants, marts and other parties involved in the industry.
