DEAR SIR: I refer to an article in the Irish Farmers Journal dated 17 November 2018, headed ‘What are the top five issues you want to address in the next 12 months’.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine wishes to clarify the position in relation to access to the Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) database that is provided to slaughter plants in respect of cattle.

Food business operators only have access on the AIM database for the details of the specific animals presented for slaughter by the farmer – that is those animals that the farmer has already presented at the slaughter plant.

The details available include their date of birth, breed, gender and disease history, all of which information is present on the animal’s passport.

Incorrect

The level of AIM access provided to food businesses as implied in this article is incorrect and misleading.

In this regard it should be noted that no access or information of any kind is provided to slaughter plants about other animals on the presenting herd keeper’s holding.

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