Written answers
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food
Cattle Identification Scheme
9:00 pm
Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 745: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason that all cattle tags here are printed, produced and sent from France; the further reason that these tags cannot be manufactured and produced here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22951/11]
Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The contract for the supply of cattle tags is awarded on the basis of a public tender process conducted in accordance with EU and national legislation on public procurement. It is open to all suppliers of cattle tags to participate in this process. My Department recently advertised for a new bovine tags contract to cover the period 1 November 2011 to 31 October 2014 and two tender applications are presently being assessed.
Daithi O Malley
Posted on 4 Oct 2011 4:10 pm (Report this comment)
Michael Healy-Rae has a great point here, I know 3 companies who had the capability to print these tags within Ireland but who would not even apply this time for the tender based on the previous track record of the department in relation to this matter. These companies would have kept jobs within Ireland. Everyone with knowledge in this area know that there's no point in applying when it's just one supplier based on the previous history. My question is why it can't be opened up to more that one supplier similar to the sheep tag tender and leave the decision to the farmer, this would without doubt bring better value for farmers and create more Jobs within the country instead of creating a monopoly. Also does the fact that only 2 companies actually applied for the lucerative contract not raise any questions within the department??