Proinsias De Rossa
Ceist:48 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the proposed sheep-identification system will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28435/00]
Written Answers. - Sheep Identification System.
Ireland must now put in place a workable, credible and reliable system of sheep identification without delay. Factors affecting this decision include the unsatisfactory nature of our current system and the need to comply fully with EU legislation; the increasingly important need for identification and traceability for disease control purposes; the outcome of the examination by the sheepmeat forum of issues affecting development of the sector. In its report the forum recognised the need for a sheep traceability system and gave its support to its introduction; and market developments, particularly the introduction of a sheep tagging scheme by the UK, our main competitor on the French market.
Given these factors, it has been decided to introduce an Irish sheep identification system based on tagging and to work towards its introduction in March 2001. Discussions are continuing with the farm organisations to this end.