Vol. 511 No. 6
195 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason farmers must surrender their cattle identification cards to individuals leasing slatted houses or part thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24930/99]
197 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his attention has been drawn to the fact that farmers who surrender their cattle identification cards to individuals leasing slatted houses of parts thereof are also surrendering their right to these animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24933/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 197 together.
National and EU legislation provide that cattle must at all times, including the situation to which the Deputy refers be accompanied by valid passport documents-cattle identity cards and these must always be available for inspection by an authorised officer of the Department and-or the Garda Síochána. These documents do not denote ownership of the animals in question.
The leasing of slatted houses or parts thereof is a private contractual arrangement between the parties concerned. Apart from being a legal requirement, the transfer of identification documents in this context should in the herdowner's own interests, form an integral part of such arrangements.
In addition, each movement of a bovine animal off its parent holding must be recorded on the on-farm herd register of both the old and new locations. The owner-manager of the leased premises legally becomes the temporary keeper of the animal.
