Michael Ring
Ceist:294 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will stop the unworkable idea of the sheep register in view of the fact that its present format is not workable or practical for farmers. [16035/02]
Written Answers. - Sheep Register.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:321 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans regarding the current sheep register and the introduction of a register which is both practical and workable on a flock basis system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16197/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 294 and 321 together.
I remain fully committed to the principles of the national sheep identification system, NSIS, introduced in June 2001, which provides the means by which each individual animal in the national flock can be identified and traced from birth to carcass, with ensuing benefits in areas such as disease monitoring/control, consumer assurance, flock management, etc. Based on its own monitoring, my Department believes that all aspects of the NSIS, including the register are generally working well.
In launching NSIS, my Department, in conjunction with Teagasc, has invested major effort in equipping flockowners with information and guidance on all aspects of its operation. My Department continues to assist flockowners in this regard, via the NSIS help-line and in other respects. Notwithstanding this, it has been made clear from the very outset that it is open to examining any specific difficulties which flockowners might encounter in the operation of NSIS, with a view to resolving such difficulties within the key parameters of the system. In this context my Department has examined a number of concerns expressed by flockowners relating to particular aspects, most notably the reconciliation component, of NSIS. Adjustments in a number of areas can be considered which will address these concerns in a manner which maintains the integrity of both the identification and traceability dimensions of NSIS.
Question No. 295 answered with Question No. 242.