Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 451: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of individual cattle tags that had to be replaced in the past 12 month period; the number of double tags that were replaced in same period; if she is satisfied that they are the best tags available; if she has considered using another form of identification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31017/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The number of individual cattle tags that had to be replaced in the past 12 month period, from the 1st of September 2005 to the 31st of August 2006, was 311,936. The number of double tags that were replaced in the same period was 99,089.

My Department reviews the methods of identification available for cattle within the terms of the EU requirements and keeps in touch with developments in the marketplace in relation to eartags to ensure that the tag most suited to the needs of Irish farming is available. I am satisfied that the current tag in use provides the best solution for the identification of cattle in Ireland at present. The suitability of the current tag and that recently selected for use in the Irish bovine identification system was determined by reference to a range of criteria designed to select an effective and secure identification and traceability system so that customers and consumers of Irish beef can be assured of the traceability of the product.