Ivor Callely
Question:191 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the progress with the implementation of the sheep tagging schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24805/01]
Written Answers. - Sheep Tagging Schemes.
I announced to the House in March this year my intention to introduce a comprehensive system of identification and traceability for the national sheep flock. The first elements of the new system were in place within two months, with flock owners able to order and receive tags from approved suppliers. The national sheep identification system – NSIS – as a whole went "live" on 21 June. This means that, for the first time, Ireland has full traceability of all sheep, on an individual animal basis. Every sheep which moves from a holding within the State or which is imported into the State and every sheep carcass processed in any of our processing plants is now fully and individually identified. All sheep remaining on holdings are required to be individually tagged by 15 December next. I attach great importance to this development which is of significant benefit to the sheep sector, most notably in terms of disease control, marketing and in the implementation of the relevant recommendations of the sheep meat forum. I believe that many flock owners are already beginning to appreciate the benefits of individual tagging for flock management purposes.
My Department is monitoring the implementation of NSIS on an ongoing basis and I am pleased to report that the system is working well and that sheep presented in marts and factories are properly tagged and documented. I look for ward to full compliance by flock owners with the requirement that all sheep remaining on holdings are tagged no later than 15 December next. To date more than eight million tags have been issued by approved suppliers to more than 40,000 flock owners. I have already said that while I regard the introduction of NSIS as a major achievement, I regard it as a system which can be built upon and which can evolve in line with technological advances and the requirements of the sector as a whole.