Let’s prove sheep identification system works

NFU urges region's farmers to give European inspectors no excuse to scrap current system.

European Commission inspectors are to visit the North West later this month as part of a check on the country's sheep tagging system.

The inspection will assess whether the UK can extend the double tagging derogation beyond June 2007. Farmers will be spot checked by the inspectors and the NFU hopes they will conclude that the double tagging derogation will be extended.

Visits, here in the region, will take place from February 26 and will include visits to farms, markets and abattoirs.

"It's vital that we maintain the derogation otherwise we will find that double tagging is implemented and all the complexities that go with it," said Alistair Mackintosh, NFU North West Livestock Board Chairman.

"Be under no illusions that if farmers in this region don't maintain their current high standards then the derogation will be taken away from us."

Mr Mackintosh believes the current system is more than fit for purpose. He currently puts tags in his sheep which identifies them as part of his flock. He also puts in an 'S' tag when he comes to sell certain animals.

Under the current system, if Alistair sells 100 lambs all at once, he can simply sell them as a batch which are fully traceable back to his farm via his flock number. This will not be the case if the inspectors find any flaws in the system. This would mean the introduction of a system where sheep are' double tagged' and individually identified.

Mr Mackintosh added: " I can have anything up to 3,000 sheep on my farm in the summer time. To have individual identification for all of those would be a bureaucratic nightmare and waste of time. Until we have an electronic identification device that is fit for purpose I see no reason to change."