Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 1

Written Answers. - Sheep Tagging.

Alan M. Dukes

Question:

55 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the measures he proposes to take to ensure that meat factories transfer the full information on sheep tags, including identification of origin, herd number and individual tag number from the tag on the carcass in order to remove any ambiguity as to the origin of the carcass; if he intends to provide for penalties in cases where factories fail to do this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18423/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

Under the terms of Statutory Instrument No. 281 of 2001, which implements the national sheep identification system with effect from 21 June last, slaughter-plants are required to record, on a label attached to the finished carcass, the code of the country of origin of the carcass, the flock number of the holding from which the animal was supplied to the slaughter-plant and the animal's individual number. Penalties for non-compliance are provided for in the Diseases of Animal Act, 1966.