John Ellis
Ceist:330 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when he intends to introduce the traceability scheme in relation to all agricultural produce. [24409/96]
Written Answers. - Traceability Scheme.
As I indicated in reply to the Deputy on Tuesday, 10 December — Parliamentary Question No. 194 — 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 bovine movement monitoring system are currently being finalised and funding has been provided in the 1997 Estimates to commence this process.
I will consider extending traceability arrangements to other sectors in the light of experience gained in the beef sector.