Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 January 2007
1329 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 441 of 14 November 2006, if her Department has completed its review; the recommendations following this review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1397/07]
View answerAs referred to in my previous response, a herdnumber is an administrative arrangement designed primarily for the purposes of disease control under the disease eradication scheme. Regulation (EC) No. 1760/2000 establishes a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and defines the role of ‘keeper' as any natural or legal person responsible for animals whether on a permanent or on a temporary basis including during transportation or at a market. In line with that definition, my Department, as a matter of policy when issuing a herdnumber, registers one individual person as the "keeper" of the animals.
The review currently being undertaken involves a thorough assessment of the operational and legal implications of permitting the nomination of more than one person as keeper. This review is not yet completed.
