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| The Farm - Electronic Identification (EID) | |
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Great concern has been expressed over the
planned introduction via EU legislation of a system for the Electronic
Identification of farmed livestock. (Cattle, Sheep and Goats).
Farmers all over the UK have expressed grave concerns over the introduction of such a system and they believe it will not help traceability, or protect livestock from disease, but it will increase the farmers costs dramatically and could force hundreds of sheep farmers out of business. They have been supported by MP's, the NFU and a Petition organized by The Scottish Farmer. |
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I had raised this matter with my own MP
Michael Moore, some time ago and have today, 2nd October 2008, received his reply,
enclosing a letter he has received from the Minister, Hilary Benn, which
is as follows -
'Dear Michael, Your raised concerns expressed by farmers in you constituency about the introduction of electronic identification of sheep (EID) and the Pre-Recess Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 22nd July. Implementation of EID in Scotland is, of course, a matter for Scottish Ministers. |
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EID and individual recording of sheep when they are oved are requirements which EU law makes mandatory for sheep after 31st December 2009. The impetus for EID originated with the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in 2001 when inadequacies in the EU sheep identification and tracing arrangements were recognized. The first phase was to introduce double tagging. The second phase is to introduce individual animal traceability which necessitated the introduction of individual animals recording and electronic identification. We have worked closely with the Commission and have secured changes to the annexes of Reglation 21/2004 which will help to reduce considerably the movement recording burdens that the Regulation would have imposed on sheep farmers. The regulation now provides a phased in approach to individual recording as follows:
As you say Scotland is undertaking and EID trial and I look forward to seeing the results of this trial in due course. In England, a pilot trial was carried out between 2004/5 and the results of this trial have been submitted to the Commission. I remain concerned about the disproportionate costs and benefits of both individual recording and of EID. This is one of the main reasons why we submitted a dossier of eveidence to the Commission on the findings of the UK trials on the costs and benefits of EID - (Click here!) However, there is little support for a fundamental review of the EU rules on sheep identification from other Member States. There is no realistic chance of negotiating EID away or, in the short term at least, agreeing any changes beyond those recently agreed. We will therefore implement EID from the date required by EU law, working with industry to seek to be as flexible as possible in minimising the burdens on them. And we will use appropriate opportunities to argue with the Commission and other Member States that a review of this ascpect of EU law is highly desirable. Hilary Benn'
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