Vol. 472 No. 6
194 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the progress, if any, which has been made regarding the provision of traceability of all meat products; and when he intends to implement a full traceability programme in this regard. [23654/96]
My Department has undertaken a comprehensive review of the elements necessary to provide full traceability for beef products. As a first step, a new computerised animal location file will be available shortly which will incorporate all relevant information on bovine animals held in my Department. In addition, the user, technical and resource implications of a comprehensive animal movement monitoring system are currently being finalised and funding has been provided in the 1997 Estimates to commence this process.
