Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 October 2020
289. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of slaughter tags for lambs sold in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30496/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rules regarding the identification of sheep changed with effect from 1 June 2019 when electronic identification was extended to all sheep.
Up to 31 May 2019, all lambs slaughtered under the age of 12 months could be identified with either a single conventional slaughter tag (white) or a single conventional mart tag (yellow). After that date, electronic identification was a requirement for all sheep.
From 1 June 2019, single conventional tags were no longer a valid means of identification for sheep. Single electronic slaughter tags are permitted only for lambs under 12 months of age moving directly to slaughter from the holding of origin. All other sheep, including lambs slaughtered under 12 months of age but moved other than directly to slaughter (e.g. via another holding or through a mart etc.) must be identified with a full electronic tag set (i.e. one conventional tag in the left ear and a corresponding electronic tag in the right ear).
In transitioning to the new identification rules effective from 1 June 2019, the sale of single conventional tags was discontinued after 30 September 2018.
The specific information requested is provided in the two Tables attached. The first Table details the number of conventional mart and slaughter tags issued in 2018 up to 1 October, after which date such tags ceased to issue. The second Table details the number of single electronic sheep slaughter tags sold from 1 October 2018 to 30 September 2020.
It should be noted that single electronic tags are applicable only to lambs moving directly to slaughter from the holding of their origin at under 12 months of age.
