UNITED KINGDOM-FIGHTING THE INEVITABLE.
THE fight against a European Commission attempt to get farmers to put an electronic tag on every sheep was stepped up yesterday.
Copa, the EU-wide umbrella organisation of farming unions, marshalled objections to the plan at a meeting in Brussels.
Nigel Miller, vice-president of NFU Scotland, said: "There is a real depth of feeling among our members that the proposals are a step too far. In the next few days, we expect to pull together the results of a national survey on sheep farmer intentions, carried out by all UK farming looking at what the reaction will be if these rules are brought in.
"The provisional Scottish figures paint a bleak picture on what the proposals could do to an already shrinking national flock."
The European Commission has thrown its weight behind the proposals but objectors say there are signs that political backing may give hope to their campaign.
Mr Miller said: "The only route left for having these proposals changed is a political one.
"We have the backing of Scotland’s politicians and we are lobbying the UK Environment Secretary Hilary Benn to raise our concerns at the next available opportunity within the EU Council of Ministers."
