A delegation from the European Commission has visited sheep farms in the South West of England but has given no hope that it may reconsider its policy on electronic ID of sheep.
Although NFU livestock board chairman Alistair Mackintosh and chief livestock advisor John Mercer joined sheep farmers from across the South West to explain the impact of the EID regulation and individual movement recording, they returned "frustrated" at the Commission’s stance.
The EC delegation also visited farms, livestock markets and abattoirs in Scotland and Wales to see how EID can be implemented.
"I am extremely frustrated at the Commissioners’ stance on individual movement recording and EID – they seem reluctant and unable to grasp the enormity of the impact this regulation will have on sheep farmers," said Mr Mackintosh.
"That is why the NFU will continue to do everything it can to fight this regulation and ensure our sheep producers remain in business and remain competitive."
He stressed that when questioned, the Commission delegation was unable to identify any benefits electronic tagging and individual movement recording would bring regarding disease control that are not already available through the present UK ID and batch recording system, combined with our domestic movement standstills.
"As we have repeatedly said, this regulation makes no sense and has the potential to dramatically affect the sheep industry across the EU,: said Mr Mackintosh.
"The additional costs involved, coupled with the recording requirements, will force many producers out of business while having absolutely no cost benefit and we will continue to work with other member states to get the proposed regulation overturned."
Mr Mackintosh urged any sheep farmers who had not yet done so to complete the survey issued by the NFU in conjunction with NFU Cymru and NFU Scotland about how the proposed introduction of electronic identification and individual recording will influence their intentions to continue keeping sheep.