Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
39. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it will be ensured that farmers do not incur an additional cost after year one of the announced EID system for sheep later in 2018; and the level of consultation he had with farmer organisations on this matter in order to proceed with this measure. [31069/18]
View answerI announced in the Press Release on 2 May 2018 on the extension of EID to all sheep that I would introduce a financial support of up to €50 per farmer for the first order of electronic tags as a one off measure in the first year of the extension of EID to all sheep.
Since then, both myself and my officials have met with the stakeholders in the sheep industry and engaged in consultation on the implementation of EID. A number of submissions have also been made on the matter and I am considering these proposals, and expect to be in a position to respond soon on the matter.
My Department engaged in a very comprehensive consultation process with the stakeholders in 2015 on the review of the arrangements on implementation of the National Sheep Identification System.
A Working Group was established to:
- examine the effectiveness of the National Sheep Identification System (NSIS);
- discuss the possibility of extending the role of EID to sheep moving from the holding of origin other than directly to slaughter or to all sheep; and
- develop proposals to improve and simplify the traceability system.
Stakeholders were offered the opportunity also to make written submissions and to outline their proposals to improve and simplify the traceability system at the meetings. All points made at meetings and written submissions were considered by DAFM.
Furthermore stakeholders were afforded an opportunity to discuss pertinent issues during the development of the Sheep Welfare Scheme.
Since the announcement of the extension of EID to all sheep, I or my officials have continued to engage with stakeholders and on the implementation of EID. I will consider the views of all stakeholders including the views provided in submissions made and expect to respond soon on the matter.
