Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

Section 63 continues the provision for animal tracing schemes which was established under the national beef assurance scheme. While there is no change to existing policy through the Animal Health and Welfare Bill, the section allows for the possibility of similar schemes to be introduced for other species. The amendment replaces the current section 63 with a somewhat more detailed section which sets out the types of data that can be collected. As I stated, existing policy has not been changed but greater legal clarity is being provided. The section essentially confirms in law the traceability mechanisms we have already established for beef. It provides that a Minister may decide in future to apply a similar scheme to other animals such as horses.