European EID talks success

Farming Minister Jim Paice has called for a review of regulatory burdens affecting farm businesses – including the Electronic Identification of Sheep – a move which echoes lobbying calls from the NFU.

Mr Paice, attending his first Council meeting in Luxembourg earlier this week, met with John Dalli, European Commissioner for health and consumer safety, to push for a review on regulatory burdens such as those arising from EID. The Commissioner accepted an invitation from Mr Paice to visit the UK to see what is happening on the ground.

The NFU has always believed that this regulation should be reviewed at the earliest opportunity and that, in the meantime, there are a number of further flexibilities which could be introduced in order to reduce the burden on sheep farmers. It also says there is a risk that farmers could lose out on single farm payments if cross-compliance issues are not addressed within the regulations.

NFU livestock board chairman Alistair Mackintosh said: "We have long-held concerns over the cost and extra regulatory burden that mandatory EID places on farmers. We have always said this mandatory regulation was disproportionate and it is our belief that a full review is needed at the earliest opportunity.

"We hope that Mr Dalli will take on board any suggestions made by our government that can help remove unnecessary burdens from our farmers. We are also pleased that he has accepted Mr Paice’s invitation to visit the UK and see first-hand the practical problems the new EID regulation are causing."