Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the introduction of compulsory electronic identification of sheep as is being mooted by the EU commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20188/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The introduction of electronic identification (EID) for sheep was agreed at EU level in late 2003. At that time, it was agreed to defer the implementation date until January 2008. The Council revisited this issue in December 2007 when it was agreed that the deadline for the compulsory introduction of EID should be definitively set for 31 December 2009.

I am of the view that the introduction of compulsory electronic identification (EID) of sheep should not have been decided on until it could be clearly demonstrated that its introduction would have clear benefits for all farmers.

I have also used every opportunity in EU discussions, both at Council and at bilateral level, to seek the introduction of EID on a voluntary basis. However there is no appetite amongst the majority of Member States or the Commission for any further deferral of the deadline of 31 December 2009, or for the introduction of EID on a voluntary basis.

My Department is in the process of consulting stakeholders on the state of play in relation to EID in sheep. I am anxious that all Irish concerns are taken into account in whatever system is finally implemented. These discussions are taking place without prejudice to my continuing view that EID should be introduced on a voluntary basis. I should also point out that under the EU legislation, EID will not apply to sheep born before January 2010, nor generally will there be a need to retag existing sheep.

Furthermore provision is made whereby lambs intended for slaughter and less than 12 months old can be permanently excluded from the EID requirement. If this provision is applied by Ireland, it will reduce the number of animals affected by EID substantively. In these circumstances, the introduction of sheep EID will be confined largely to new or replacement breeding stock and will take a number of years to impact fully on the sector.