Mr. Brendan Gleeson:

There are issues with identification of all animals and all species from time to time, which are generally resolved. There was a case ongoing and identification was part of it. There was an investigation that had not reached its final conclusion. The Department was aware that there may have been problems with identification. We had no reason to believe that the animals, I think, coming through that plant were not properly identified, and we were checking the identification insofar as it was there.

This is not in any way to imply that the system does not have to be examined, but this was a system that was consistent with European Union law. The fact is we have a much better identification system for bovine, and that was developed over many years. Through many stresses in the mid- and early-1990s, we developed a system. That system is not necessarily appropriate for horses because it is a different business but we are examining this now in conjunction with our European partners.