Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 344: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will outline the procedure for the roll-out of the sheep electronic identification; if he will ensure that this is voluntary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47823/09]

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 no discretion in this regard. I have consistently sought the introduction of EID on a voluntary basis and most recently at the Agriculture Council on 20 November 2009. Regretfully, 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.

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.

The necessary changes to the National Sheep Identification System (NSIS) arising from the introduction of EID will be implemented during the course of next year. My Department will shortly circulate to farm organizations and other stakeholders for comments a technical document outlining the proposed changes to the National Sheep Identification System (NSIS II). I would urge the stakeholders to examine this document carefully and engage with my officials so that whatever revisions are made to the NSIS best suit Irish conditions and minimise the burden on farmers.