Vol. 533 No. 3
150 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the research which has taken place into the tagging of sheep by his Department; if the proposed tagging system has been assessed by the European Commission; and the recommendations which have been issued by his Department with regard to best practice for tagging of sheep. [8909/01]
Under current EU legislation member states are obliged to put in place national identification systems that identify at least the holding of birth and of dispatch holding of sheep. The national sheep identification system to be implemented in Ireland, which will identify all sheep on an individual basis, more than meets the provisions of the relevant EU legislation, both current and projected, and will be of significant benefit in terms of disease control, marketing and implementation of the relevant recommendations of the sheepmeat forum which reported in October, 1999.
Under the national identification scheme farmers will be able to choose from a range of different tag types. Full information on the available tags, tag suppliers etc. will be posted to all farmers before the commencement of the scheme. In addition, Teagasc will have an advisory role in promoting best tagging practice and intends to hold open demonstration days for farmers at various locations, the disease situation permitting. Tagging of sheep is the norm throughout the EU.
151 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when he will announce details of a tagging scheme for sheep; when this system will come into effect; the provisions which will be included to ensure traceability from birth to plate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8910/01]
It is my intention to introduce a comprehensive national identification system for sheep, involving the individual identification of all sheep by tagging, from next May. Under this system details of all sheep on farms and of all sheep movements will be fully recorded. Processors will be required to link the individual sheep tag number to the number of the finished carcass. Ireland will thus have full traceability for all sheep, on an individual animal basis.
Question No. 152 answered with Question No. 146.
