Ceist:
28 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the national beef assurance scheme will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5159/98]
Written Answers. - National Beef Assurance Scheme.
The national beef assurance scheme will be introduced this year. Many of the animal identification and tracing elements are already in place and over the coming months arrangements will be put in place to record all movements of animals on a central database. The national beef assurance scheme standards are under discussion with industry partners and when these are agreed the task of registering all participants to the scheme will commence.
I am conscious of the need for early introduction of this scheme to underpin food safety and to bolster consumer confidence. It is a priority of this Government that the scheme be implemented in 1998.