Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Dec 2001

Vol. 545 No. 4

Written Answers. - Tagging of Animals.

Enda Kenny

Question:

183 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the method by which tag allocations are determined for each herd owner; the reason it is necessary for a veterinary inspector to fit brass tags in the event of persons requiring extra tags before each annual quota is released; the reason these must then be replaced under supervision by a Department inspector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30777/01]

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

The annual tag supply threshold for each herdowner is established by taking the number of his or her calf births in either of the previous two years, whichever is the greater, less the number of unused tags on hand and adding 10% to that figure. For autumn calvers, that is, where 50% of calves are born between 1 September and 31 December, there is no deduction for unused tags.

If a herdowner requires supplies of tags over and above his or her annual allocation, application must be made to the district veterinary office. The purpose of this is to ensure that supplies of tags are issued only in respect of genuine animals. Occasionally, when a herdowner does not have tags for an animal at the time of the annual herd test, a temporary brass tag is attached to the animal by the testing veterinary inspector for identification for animal health purposes. When the herdowner receives the additional supply of tags, he or she must apply the plastic tags to the animals in question. The temporary brass tag is left in the animal's ear.