Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Craughwell for raising this matter. As a self-described urban dweller, I think he has a reasonable grasp of the issues involved. I trust his briefing on the matter from Councillor McCarthy was fruitful in both directions in the context of the Seanad election, although the Cathaoirleach might have a slight concern about that. I thank Senator Craughwell for his kind remarks.

My Department is responsible for the development and implementation of the rules governing the identification and tracing systems for cattle in accordance with the requirements set out in EU and national legislation. The objective of the Irish cattle identification system is to guarantee the safety of beef, beef products and dairy products by operating an effective, secure animal identification and tracing system under which cattle are required to maintain the same identity for life.

The traceability system provides assurance to consumers and customers worldwide that a bovine animal can be traced from birth to slaughter or live export. It is also a vital component in protecting animal and human health and in securing and maintaining markets for Irish cattle and beef and dairy products. The Irish agricultural business is heavily reliant on beef, cattle and dairy operations which are underpinned by a robust bovine traceability system. Thus, the implementation of an effective and reputable identification system plays a key role in underpinning beef and dairy exports in a competitive marketplace. Ireland is one of the largest net beef exporters in the world, with some 90% of the output of the Irish beef industry exported. A significant live cattle export trade complements the beef trade. Furthermore, Ireland exports approximately 85% of its dairy production.

Regulation (EC) No. 1760/2000 sets down the system for the identification and registration of bovine animals. National legislation underpins the Irish bovine animal identification and tracing system. The bovine identification and registration system has four elements: tagging; bovine passport; on-farm bovine herd register; and a computerised database called the animal identification and movement system, AIM. The AIM system records all births, movements and disposals in accordance with EU requirements and, therefore, traces all bovines from birth to slaughter. SI No. 77 of 2009, European Communities (Identification of Bovines) Regulations, requires that bovines must be double-tagged within 20 days of birth and registered within seven days of tagging. Keepers are obligated under the legislation to apply two ear tags to a calf up to 20 days after birth, or prior to movement off the holding, if earlier. Accordingly, all bovines must bear two ear tags prior to leaving the holding.

It is important to note that the obligation lies with the keeper to ensure that each bovine has two ear tags at all times and that if an animal loses a tag, he or she is obligated to replace that tag. It is illegal to move a bovine animal from a holding with one tag and, furthermore, it is illegal to offer for sale or to facilitate the sale of an animal with one tag. In line with the obligation on the keeper to ensure that each bovine has two ear tags at all times, it would not be appropriate for a livestock mart to facilitate the sale of an animal with one ear tag. There is significant potential to lose traceability if a system were introduced to permit the presentation for sale of animals with one ear tag and such animals were to lose the ear tag on leaving the mart. By extension it would not be appropriate for a second party to purchase an animal with one ear tag and for the Department to be involved in some mechanism to impose a restriction on that animal on the holding of the second party.

Cross-compliance inspections apply sanctions on breaches of any one of the four pillars of identification. If a cross-compliance inspection finds a bovine with one tag, the onus is on the keeper to apply a replacement tag within a certain timeframe, whereupon the restriction is lifted. Accordingly, the obligation is on the keeper with the animal with one tag to rectify the problem, and this problem should not be transferred to another keeper.

I must ensure that a coherent approach is in place to enhance Ireland’s robust bovine identification and traceability system to support our critical markets in live cattle, beef and dairy products to underpin the livelihoods of farmers. Furthermore, I need to ensure that systems are in place at all times to ensure that keepers are mindful of their obligations to have animals double-tagged and avoid any possible developments that could encourage laxity on obligations to have animals with two ear tags. I must be mindful, in considering any proposals for changes in trading arrangements, of the potential for effectively transferring the penalty, which is currently imposed on a keeper for having an animal with one ear tag, to the farmer acquiring such an improperly identified animal. My Department, as the competent authority, is obligated to implement the legislation. However, this does not preclude discussion on any issues that may need to be addressed.

I accept the Senator's bona fides in raising this issue. I am familiar with it because I live in a town with a mart. I have seen the issue raised and know it is one that antagonises farmers. The message I am trying to communicate is that there is more at stake than the individual impact on a single farmer. There is the question of reputational damage and the necessity for a nation that exports so much beef product, most in processed form but a significant amount in live exports, to have efficient traceability systems. Since my appointment, I have met the ambassadors of China, the US, New Zealand and Iran, all with the purpose of securing new and improved market access. We will be going to China in early September on a mission to improve market access, particularly in the context of beef. One of the cornerstones of our sales pitch will be that we have a system of traceability that is second to none and that our system stands up to scrutiny on any occasion we have to order a recall or identify a batch or an animal, for one reason or another.

I appreciate that this puts a significant onus on individual farmers inside their farm gates. However, if we look at the bigger picture, while onerous, I believe it is a price worth paying. In the absence of the heat of a specific case, when we stand back and look at it, I believe it is a necessary burden that individual farmers carry for the collective interest of the industry.