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Animal Identification Scheme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2004

Tuesday, 15 June 2004

Questions (106)

Billy Timmins

Question:

157 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to sheep tags; the position regarding same if they fade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17294/04]

View answer

Written answers

The national sheep identification system, NSIS, came into operation on the 21 June 2001. 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. All sheep remaining on farms must be tagged at the latest by 15 December. The system also provides for the issue of replacement tags and import tags. The individual tag numbers are issued centrally by my Department and tags are supplied by commercial operators.

Tag supply companies and individual tags are approved on an annual basis. Approval is subject to compliance with strict criteria laid down by my Department. Failure by any company to meet the criteria may lead to that company being removed from the list of approved suppliers and or an approved tag being withdrawn from the market. This year, 13 tag suppliers have been approved to supply tags to farmers. This allows farmers a wide choice as to the type of tag they wish to use and commercial competition has ensured that tags are available at a reasonable price. To date more than 23 million tags have been issued by approved suppliers to over 46,000 flock-owners — more than 6.5 million of which were short term tags which can be used only for lambs moving directly from farm to factory.

The performance of NSIS in general, including that of tag suppliers and tags, has been satisfactory over the past three years. Where isolated problems have arisen, it has been possible within the context of the approved tag supplier arrangements to address them quickly and effectively and in a manner which does not affect the integrity of the system as a whole. Where instances of tag fading are brought to the attention of my Department, they are taken up immediately with the relevant supplier with a view to having the problem corrected and replacement tags issued to the affected flockowners. Particular design features of NSIS as a whole will allow for any faded tags to be replaced without undermining compliance with the requisite requirements for correct individual animal identification and traceability.

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