Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way a person (details supplied) in County Cork can receive a herd number in view of the fact that they only have a small amount of land and are currently on jobseeker's allowance but wish to change their payment to farm assistance and require a herd number in order to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46969/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A herdnumber is an administrative device issued by my Department to a distinct herd for the purposes of disease control. A herdnumber may be issued if the herd in question fulfils the following criteria:

- The herd occupies a defined holding.

- There are separate entrances to the holding.

- The entry points onto other adjoining holdings/lands are permanently blocked.

- The perimeter fencing should be stock-proof and also prevent direct contact between stock on contiguous or adjoining holdings.

- There are independent and separate facilities such as: separate cattle crush or sheep/goat handling facilities; separate feeding and watering facilities; separate farm machinery.

- There are adequate facilities for the purpose of inspection, isolation, loading, unloading, marshalling, watering, feeding, treatment of sick/injured animals and housing.

- There are adequate facilities for animal bedding and the collection of manure and wastewater.

A person may apply to the local District Veterinary Office for a herdnumber by completing an application form ( ER1), which is available from the local District Veterinary Office or can be downloaded from my Department’s website at .