Vol. 510 No. 3
55 Ms Coughlan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the rate of progress to date on the introduction of the cattle movement monitoring system; when it will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22340/99]
I am pleased to state that a great deal of progress has been made in relation to the introduction of the computerised cattle movement monitoring system known as the CMMS. The system is already in place in relation to private sales from farm to farm and in more than 90 per cent of livestock marts with the remaining marts expected to come on board at an early date. The system is currently being phased in at export approved meat plants and it is already in operation in some 80 per cent of these premises. The system was introduced at local authority abattoirs on 27 September last and it is being piloted at live export plants this month. With the co-operation of all parties, the system should be fully in place by the end of the year.
