Written answers

Wednesday, 26 January 2005

Department of Agriculture and Food

Cattle Identification Scheme

9:00 pm

Photo of Seymour CrawfordSeymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 656: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of animal tags which have been provided for in each of the past seven years; the number which had to have both tags replaced in each of those years; the number which had to have one tag replaced; if she has satisfied herself that this is the best form of identification available; if there is any research being carried out to improve the system of finding an alternative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1482/05]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The numbers of new and replacement bovine animal identification ear tags issued during the last seven years are set out in the following table.

Calendar Year No. of New Tags Sets No. of replacement Pairs of Tags No. of replacement Single Tags
1998 2,560,891 71,197 283,300
1999 3,181,250 83,753 366,694
2000 2,371,142 83,885 329,594
2001 2,435,235 81,596 275,266
2002 3,070,817 85,249 274,237
2003 2,301,898 93,871 271,514
2004 2,277,262 104,868 272,720

The increase in the number of tags issued in 1999 arose because of a change in the tag numbering format from 1 January 1999. The increase in the number of tags issued in 2002 reflects the initiative undertaken by my Department in tagging the remaining portion of the national herd that up to that time had been tagged using a single brass tag. The entire bovine population is now tagged with double plastic tags and this is reflected in the overall number of replacement tags requested.

I am satisfied that the current system of double tagging bovine animals with plastic tags is the most efficient and practical form of identification available at present. However, my Department is currently researching the possible future use of electronic means of identification for bovine animals.

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