Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

The introduction of EID for sheep was agreed at EU level in late 2003. At that time, it was agreed to defer the implementation date until January 2008. The Council of Agriculture Ministers revisited this issue in December 2007 when it was agreed that the deadline for the compulsory introduction of EID should be set for 31 December 2009, six years after the original decision was taken. I have always expressed major concerns with the mandatory introduction of EID for a sheep sector that is clearly under pressure. My consistent view has been that the introduction of EID for sheep should only be on a voluntary basis and I most recently articulated this position to the European Commission, the Commissioner and fellow Ministers at the Agriculture Council of Ministers meetings, most recently on 20 November 2009.

It is to be regretted that there is not sufficient support among other member states and none from the European Commission for any further rollback in regard to the date for the mandatory introduction of EID or for a voluntary scheme. The prevailing view at EU level is that member states should proceed with implementation and other member states have proceeded with implementation on a mandatory basis. I, therefore, have no discretion as regards the date of implementation and there can be no question of deferring its introduction for a further period. In these circumstances, we are now obliged to proceed with its introduction.

Over the period of debate at EU level, I placed a strong emphasis in pressing our case for a voluntary scheme and in this regard I have secured major concessions on EID in discussions with the European Commission at official level and with the Commissioner. These concessions include a slaughter derogation, which means all lambs intended for slaughter and under 12 months old can now be exempted from EID. This will result in EID being largely confined to replacement breeding stock that are born after 31 December 2009. This means the vast majority of Irish sheep will be excluded from EID requirements, which will minimise costs for producers. Furthermore, where lambs identified under the slaughter derogation are subsequently retained for breeding purposes they can then be tagged with an EID device at the second holding. This is a major breakthrough in facilitating existing trade practice in the sector and addresses concerns raised by Irish farming organisations and Members of the Oireachtas that the new EID system would eliminate the sale of breeding sheep at marts, which would have an adverse effect on competitiveness in the industry.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has circulated a technical document outlining the proposed changes to the national sheep identification system to farm organisations and other stakeholders for comments. This is part of a consultative process which has been ongoing for some time. The stakeholders have been asked to examine this document carefully and engage with my officials so that whatever revisions are made to the NSIS best suit Irish conditions and minimise the burden on farmers within the parameters of the new legislation. I urge the various organisations to contribute specific input at this stage to the proposed scheme.

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