IFA concern over traceability system

NO SCIENTIFIC or economic justification could be put forward to impose a compulsory system of electronic identification on the Irish sheep sector, the Irish Farmers’ Association warned yesterday.

Sheep committee chairman Henry Burns said there is a comprehensive, effective farm-to-fork traceability system in place in Ireland. He said it would be double standards for the EU to impose a high cost, complex system on European and Irish sheep farmers while allowing 14 million lambs from New Zealand onto its market with no traceability whatsoever.

Mr Burns called on Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan to insist the council of ministers retains the full power of decision on this issue and ensures it is not passed over to civil servants in the European Commission.