Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 416: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on whether the new proposed electronic tagging of sheep will cause sheep farmers inconvenience and expense in view of the fact that some sheep flocks carry six different types of tags or tattoos; his views on the fact that electronic tagging will be of little increased benefit in so far as transparency and accountability of sheep is concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40123/09]

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 set for 31 December 2009, 6 years after the original decision was taken. My consistent view has been that the introduction of EID of sheep should only have been introduced on a voluntary basis. There has, however, been a lack of support from other EU Member States or from the European Commission for a voluntary scheme.

In the discussions in Brussels, a number of measures have been negotiated intended to minimise any inconvenience in its introduction. In particular, provision has been made to exempt from EID, lambs under 12 months of age and that are intended for slaughter. This means that the vast majority of Irish sheep will not be affected by the EID requirement. Primarily only those animals retained for breeding over the coming years would have to be electronically tagged and so the additional costs to farmers in any given year are being kept to a minimum. It is my intention that the scheme to be introduced during the course of next year will be implemented in consultation with the stakeholders and will take appropriate account of Irish conditions.