Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2004
233 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will define flocks of high genetic merit as described as part of the EU ram genotyping programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32076/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommission Decision 2003/100/EC of 13 February, 2003, required member states to introduce on a voluntary basis from 1 January 2004, a breeding programme to select for resistance to TSEs in sheep. However participation in such a programme becomes compulsory for flocks of high genetic merit from 1 April, 2005. My Department is currently considering the arrangements to be provided for in the programme to be applied from that date.
