Electronic tagging proposals must be overturned

The proposed introduction of compulsory electronic identification (EID) and individual recording of sheep will bring additional costs but no benefits to an already beleaguered sector and must be overturned, NFU livestock board chairman Alistair Mackintosh has told a meeting in Brussels.

Mr Mackintosh joined representatives from farming organisations across the EU at a special hearing on EID for sheep and goats involving MEPs and EU Commissioners at the European Parliament last week and reiterated the NFU’s total opposition to the proposals during a presentation.

Mr Mackintosh said: "This was part of our ongoing campaign to get compulsory individual movement recording and electronic identification of sheep overturned. Industry representatives from all member states present, including representatives from Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary and Romania, supported our stance that there is absolutely no justification for the introduction of individual movement recording and electronic identification of sheep on a compulsory basis.

"These regulations make no sense and have the potential to decimate the sheep industry across the EU, which would have a huge effect on both the environment and the rural economy.

"The additional costs involved, coupled with the recording requirements, will force many producers out of business while having absolutely no cost benefit. We heard from countries where the regulation has already been implemented and there are problems in terms of cost, welfare issues with the tagging, and unreliability.

"We reinforced our view that our present ID and batch recording system, combined with our domestic movement standstills, are a simple, efficient and cost effective measure which helps control the spread of animal diseases and we will continue to work with other member states to get the proposed regulation overturned."

A resolution will go forward from the meeting to the EU Commission asking it to look again at the proposals.