The purpose of the herd reconciliation project is to confirm that cattle which the cattle movement monitoring system – CMMS – recorded as being in the herd on 31 December 2000 were actually in those herds on that date, to collect details of cattle that were not so recorded and to update the database accordingly. It will be recalled that the CMMS database was developed to guarantee the origin, identity and life history of Irish cattle entering the food chain. The CMMS, which contains information on millions of events in the life of the Irish cattle herd, was developed progressively over a number of years beginning with the recording of calf birth registrations from 1996 onwards. However, as full recording of movements and disposal of cattle did not come into operation until the beginning of 2000, the data recorded on animal locations may not be up to date in all cases.
The herd reconciliation project is therefore a very important milestone in the further development of the CMMS. It will ensure the complete accuracy and integrity of the CMMS cattle traceability system. The project will also have further practical benefits in that it will allow the database to be used more widely for EU premia payments and many other schemes affecting farmers, thus reducing the administrative burden for farmers associated with such payments.
The mechanics of the project are that all cattle events recorded on computer in 2000, including births, on-farm deaths, exports, slaughtering, movements and premia applications, were analysed and a last known location-herd number for each cattle tag number was established. The year 2000 was selected as a basis for the exercise because it provided the most comprehensive and up-to-date information available. A statement listing the cattle in each herd was generated for each farmer and farmers were asked to confirm, add to or amend the details of the statement as appropriate. Some 130,000 statements were issued to farmers in the first weeks of January this year. The issuing of the statements was accompanied by an extensive radio and press publicity campaign. Of the approximately 130,000 farmers involved, 121,520 have responded. Therefore, 7,444 farmers have not responded and they have been reminded on a number of occasions to send back their details. In early April, a further letter will be issued to all remaining farmers who have still failed to respond, reminding them of their obligations and the consequences of not doing so. Failure to respond after that date will leave my Department with no option but to render the animals in question ineligible for premia pending clarification of their status under the herd reconciliation project.
The House can be assured more generally that every opportunity is taken to remind farmers of the importance of having accurate and fully updated herd records. The current foot and mouth crisis highlights the critical role that a comprehensive animal tracing system can play both in the control of the spread of animal disease and in providing reassurances to consumers and customers regarding Irish livestock products. There is a responsibility on all parties, particularly farmers, to play their role in this matter.