NFU lobbying leads to success over sheep movements

Movement of sheep to temporary grazing or rented land where the ownership of the animals does not change will not have to be individually recorded by farmers when the electronic identification of sheep is introduced next year thanks to NFU lobbying – led by North West farmer Alistair Mackintosh.

Concern had been expressed about the increased cost and regulatory burden farmers would face if they had to record individual animal movements between different holdings where the keeper of the animals remained the same.

Defra Ministers have now agreed that in such circumstances movements can be batch recorded once sheep EID is implemented on January 1 2010.

NFU livestock board chairman, Alistair Mackintosh, who farms in Ravenglass, said: "We have been extremely concerned about this issue and the impact individual movement recording would have on members’ businesses both financially and in terms of additional regulation. We have worked hard with Defra to find a workable and practical solution that limits the impact of this regulation on producers.

"This agreement that movements to temporary grazing or rented land within the same business, where day to day keepership of the animals does not change, can be batch recorded will save members both time and money."

• The NFU is urging sheep farmers in Cumbria and North Lancashire to attend a meeting where the affects of implementing individual recording and electronic identification of sheep will be discussed. The meeting will take place at the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal, Cumbria on Wednesday 21 October, starting at 7.30pm.