Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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730. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the mandatory introduction of electronic identification, EID, tagging of sheep; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30479/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I made the announcement on 2 May 2108 on the extension of electronic identification to all sheep.

The rationale for the introduction of new rules on sheep identification is very solid as it clearly allows for a more robust sheep traceability system that will further support the development and sustainability of the sheep industry. It will ultimately simplify the sheep tagging system and will significantly reduce the record keeping requirements for farmers and producers alike. The extension of EID to all sheep has the capacity to allow for greater market access to third countries, including the USA, as well as considering the potential of sheepmeat access to Japan and other markets. 

The current national sheep identification system (NSIS) was introduced in 2010 in an effort to address specific concerns across different sectors. It is widely acknowledged as being very complex, with an over-reliance on the transcription of individual numbers through all stages of production. The system is not functioning optimally and must be improved.

Acknowledging that the new sheep identification rules will impose an additional cost on farmers, I have announced a tag subsidy scheme, whereby keepers will be eligible for a payment of up to €50 on the first electronic tag order processed after a date to be specified. In addition, while not required for the implementation of the new rules, I have included sheep tag readers and associated software as eligible investments under the TAMS Scheme. This will greatly assist keepers in their on-going flock management and improvement. TAMS is a scheme that farmers are familiar with and which also offers other sheep-related investment opportunities.

In operational terms, when the new system comes into force, marts and factories will operate as Central Points of Recording (CPRs), approved by my Department. As provided for under Council Regulation 21/2004, CPRs will provide the presenting keeper with a printed list of tag numbers scanned in association with a particular batch of sheep presented at a mart or factory, thereby removing the requirement for the keeper to separately list the individual tag number of each animal in that batch. The printed list will then be associated with the related dispatch document for the keeper's records. In the case of mart movements, the CPR will provide a similar printout to the purchasing keeper, for association with his/her records.

Only movements to premises that are not operating as approved CPRs (e.g. farm-to-farm, farm-show etc.) will require the listing of full animal identification numbers on the associated dispatch document.

The operation of marts and factories as CPRs means that no farmer will be required to purchase tag reading equipment, although this is an option for those who wish to record and monitor animal data with a view to improving flock management and optimising yield.

I have led a number of trade missions in the last number of years, where every effort is being made by organisations throughout the country to secure additional markets for Irish sheep meat. Increasingly, these new markets require the electronic identification of sheep as a pre-requisite to discussions. While it is the case that New Zealand has access to Asian markets in the absence of electronic identification, as alluded to in the supplied detail, these are historic markets, where access was granted many years ago when technology had not advanced to the standards of today. New, higher standards are now required for entry into these markets and Ireland has no choice but to reach the standards set out if we are to expand our market base into these countries.   

Since the announcement of the introduction of EID in sheep, either myself or my officials have met with the stakeholders in the sheep industry and engaged in consultation on the implementation of EID. 

A number of submissions have also been made on the matter of implementation of EID and I will consider the views of all stakeholders and expect to respond soon on the matter.