Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With regard to development markets, when Bord Bia or departmental officials participate on trade missions, they will identify traceability as a key issue, particularly for the US. The dreaded tagging has not been discussed but it will be in the mix at some stage. There have been submissions on it. The focus currently is on animal welfare. I know from experience that a lame animal does not put on flesh and, therefore, does not make a farmer money. A simple measure can be taken to address that. Fencing provides access to young farmers to the scheme because they may be starting out with an underdeveloped property or a green field site that was not used for sheep farming previously. One can never have enough good fencing on a sheep farm. It is the key to grass management and good neighbours. Those issues need to be focused on to generate a tangible benefit.