Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 221: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her Department has considered the use of electronic tagging for sheep and cattle; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32884/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under Council Regulation (EC) No. 21/2004, which established a harmonized system of identification for sheep, obligatory electronic sheep identification is to be introduced throughout the EU from the 1st of January 2008. This date is, however, subject to further Council discussions and amendment if necessary. Ireland is fully participating in all working groups on electronic identification of sheep, both at formal EU level and informally with other EU Member States. We are actively involved in examining all aspects of electronic identification in preparation for future discussions on this issue.

My Department continues to look at developments in the market in relation to bovine eartags, including electronic tagging, to ensure that the tag most suited to the needs of Irish farming is available. 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.