Written answers

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

Department of Agriculture and Food

Animal Identification Scheme

6:00 am

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he is taking to reverse the plans for the electronic tagging of sheep; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3677/10]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The introduction of 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 of Agriculture Ministers 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.

I have always expressed major concerns with the mandatory introduction of EID for a sheep sector that is clearly under pressure. My consistent view has been that the introduction of EID of sheep should only be on a voluntary basis and I most recently articulated this position to both the European Commission and fellow Ministers at the Agricultural Council of 20 November 2009. Regretfully, there is not sufficient support among other Member States and none from the European Commission for any further rollback in relation to the date for the mandatory introduction of EID or for a voluntary scheme.

The prevailing view at EU level is that Member States should proceed with implementation and other Member States have proceeded with implementation of EID on a mandatory basis. I, therefore, have no discretion as regards the date of implementation for electronic identification (EID) and there can be no question of deferring its introduction for a further period. In these circumstances, we now must proceed with the introduction of EID.

Over the period of debate at EU level, I have placed a strong emphasis in pressing our case for a voluntary scheme and in this regard I have secured major concessions in relation to EID in discussions with the European Commission. These concessions include a slaughter derogation which means that all lambs intended for slaughter and under 12 months old can now be exempted from EID. This will result in EID being largely confined to replacement breeding stock that are born after 31 December 2009. This means the vast majority of Irish sheep will be excluded from EID requirements, which will minimise costs for producers.

Furthermore, where lambs identified under the slaughter derogation are subsequently retained for breeding purposes they can then be tagged with an EID device at the second holding. This is a major breakthrough in facilitating existing trade practice in the sector and addresses concerns raised by Irish farming organisations that the new EID system would eliminate the sale of breeding sheep at marts, which would have an adverse effect on competitiveness in the industry.

My Department has circulated a technical document outlining the proposed changes to the National Sheep Identification System (NSIS II) to farm organisations and other stakeholders for comments. This is part of a consultative process, which has been ongoing for some time. The stakeholders have been asked 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 within the parameters of the new legislation. I would urge the various organisations to contribute specific input, at this stage, to the proposed scheme.

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