Vol. 539 No. 1
30 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the national sheep identification system, announced on 2 April 2001, will come into operation; if all sheep producers have been given details of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18421/01]
The national sheep identification scheme, NSIS, came into operation on 21 June. From that date, all sheep must be tagged on movement off farm with a tag bearing the flock number of the farm and an individual number. This information is being recorded in sheep slaughter plants and, under the terms NSIS, must be shown on a label on the finished carcase. All sheep remaining on farms must be tagged by 15 December at the latest. Thus, Ireland has for the first time full traceability for all sheep on an individual-animal basis. A comprehensive information booklet outlining the requirements of NSIS was sent to all sheep farmers in May.
