Christy O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the estimated cost of introducing a compulsory electric tagging system for sheep here. [47444/09]

Christy O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 314: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the benefits of introducing the compulsory electronic tagging of sheep; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47446/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 314 together.

It is my view that the introduction of electronic identification (EID) should be on a voluntary basis for those farmers who could clearly derive benefit from the technology. This view has not been supported at EU level and the introduction of EID for sheep must come into force on a mandatory basis on 31 December 2009 having been already deferred from 1 January 2008.

It is difficult to be precise with regard to costs as this is a new initiative. It is my intention to minimise costs for producers by availing of a "slaughter derogation" which allows for the vast majority of Irish sheep to be excluded from the EID requirement. Only those animals retained for breeding or live exports 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. Farmers will not be required to purchase readers since, as is the case at present, an ear tag will continue to have a number on it that is readable to the human eye so there will be minimal change to current practice. The additional annual cost to the average farmer with a flock of 100 sheep is estimated to be approximately €30 to €40.

Christy O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 313: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the status of negotiations with the European Union regarding the compulsory electric tagging of sheep here. [47445/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Under Council Regulation 21/2004 as amended the implementation date for the mandatory introduction of electronic tagging (EID) of sheep is definitively set at 31 December 2009. I have consistently sought the introduction of EID on a voluntary basis and most recently at the Agriculture Council on 20 November 2009. However, there is not sufficient support among other Member States or from the European Commission for any further changes in relation to the date for the mandatory introduction of EID. The prevailing view at EU level is that Member States should proceed with implementation.

In these circumstances, we now must prepare for the introduction of EID during the course of next year. I would urge the stakeholders to engage with my officials with a view to implementing a system best suited to Irish conditions. It is my intention to minimise costs for producers by availing of a "slaughter derogation" which allows for the vast majority of Irish sheep to be excluded from the EID requirement. Only those animals retained for breeding and live exports over the coming years will have to be electronically tagged and so the additional costs to farmers in any given year are being kept to a minimum. Farmers will not be required to purchase readers since, as is the case at present, an ear tag will continue to have a number on it that is readable to the human eye so there will be minimal change to current practice.