MEP told of EID burden

’Don’t make a cross compliance issue out of something that we have no control over’ – that was the message NFU Cymru members gave Jill Evans MEP to take back with her to Brussels following a recent on farm meeting in Glamorgan.

The farmers were referring to new electronic identification regulations coming into force from 1 January 2010 which will place an additional burden on Wales’ sheep farmers.

Speaking at the meeting, NFU Cymru Vice President, Ed Bailey said, "We need the European Commission and the Welsh Assembly Government in turn to take a pragmatic approach to the whole issue of cross compliance when it comes to sheep EID and individual recording. Even under optimum conditions, it is our belief, that the technology simply isn’t performing and other European countries are now finally starting to realise this. It is also inevitable that very many animals will simply lose their tags every year. It would be very wrong for farmers to be punished for any failures that are outside of their control and that is why a pragmatic approach to this issue is needed from government at all levels."

A number of other issues were also discussed at the meeting including the need for far greater clarity in food labelling. NFU Cymru Glamorgan County Chairman, Richard Isaac said, "Food labelling is a major issue of concern for farmers, it can’t be right that meat imported from abroad, but processed here, can be labelled as Welsh.

"Farmers in Wales operate to some of the highest environmental and animal welfare standards in the world and it is wrong that consumers who want to support Welsh farmers can be misled into buying food produced elsewhere."

Mr Issac concluded, ’We are grateful to Steve and Catherine Williams, Pantycornant Farm, Blackmill, for hosting the meeting with Jill Evans. A number of important issues have emerged from our discussion and we would now ask Jill to take these messages back to Brussels."