Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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283. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a mandatory programme of electronic identification of bovine animals which leads to paperless traceability in the entire food chain, and easier handling of all livestock. [40426/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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EU Regulation No 653/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on 15 May 2014 amending Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000 as regards electronic identification of bovine animals and labelling of beef provides for theintroduction of electronic bovine identification on a voluntary basis. Under this legislation, Member States are obliged to have facilities in place to provide for the use of electronic identifiers (electronic tags or electronic bolus) as an official means of identification with effect from 18 July 2019. My Department will facilitate the introduction of electronic identification (EID) of bovines in accordance with the requirements of the aforementioned EU Regulation. There are no provisions in the Regulation in relation to the mandatory introduction of electronic identification of bovines in advance of 18 July 2019. Nevertheless, my Department already provides for the use of EID tags in the current contract for the supply of bovine tags on a voluntary basis. There is very low demand (approximately 1% of herd keepers) for cattle EID tags at present which cost an additional €1 per animal. The cost ofan EIDreader is also significant.

I have no plans to introduce mandatory EID for bovine animals having regard to the additional costs to herd keepers. However my Department will keep the position under review in the context of consultation with all the stakeholders and developments at EU level.