Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 1

Written Answers. - Sheep Tagging.

Michael Creed

Question:

194 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason, in the context of compulsory tagging of all sheep, he is unwilling to accept, computerised flock registers and computerised printouts for movement certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19536/01]

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

In principle I have no difficulty with farmers using computerised technology to maintain records, for the purposes of the national sheep identification system, once the necessary safeguards are in place. My officials are in correspondence with a company who is interested in providing this service.