Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

49. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the tendering process in his Department for the supply of electronic identification tags for bovine animals involves a technical specification for only one kind of anti-tamper device which is patented to one company; if the process is going ahead again in 2016 in these circumstances; the reason for postponement of the process on two occasions; the reason the State uses only one supplier, as opposed to multiple suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21283/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A Request for Tenders (RFT) seeking a single supplier for the provision of a service to supply a suite of bovine tags including conventional tags, tissue tags (that provide for tissue sampling for BVD detection and DNA analysis), electronic tags and electronic bolus was published in May.

The minimum specification for tags is set out in the RFT. All tags must comply with the requirements of EU regulations. The Department places a strong emphasis on tag suitability, security and tamper evidence to support a secure bovine identification and traceability system that plays a key role in underpinning beef and dairy exports in a competitive marketplace. The single supplier model has satisfied these requirements very well over past years. Whilst the RFT sets out detailed requirements for the tags, it does not set down a requirement involving a technical specification for only one kind of anti-tamper device which is patented to one company. The tender is open to all suppliers of suitable high quality tags to tender for.

The deadline for the receipt of tenders has been extended to enable my Department examine a number of issues raised by potential suppliers of tags.