Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 370: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review the existing tagging system for sheep in view of the fact that existing tagging is complicating matters for farmers and marts and the system needs to be simplified at an early date. [20025/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will no doubt be aware that the provisions of the National Sheep Identification Scheme have recently been revised to provide for the introduction of Electronic tagging (EID). These changes have been introduced following consultation with all stakeholders in the sheep sector including marts and farmers. In so far as possible and, consistent with EU law, any changes that have been introduced have taken account of what best suits Irish conditions. In this regard, I would remind the Deputy, that for both the vast majority of Irish flockowners and of lambs there has been minimal changes in the move to the new system, as lamb intended for slaughter and under 12 months of age remains exempt from EID. Notwithstanding this, some 750,000 EID tag set have now been purchased and the sector, in general, is getting on with the use of this new technology, where required.