NFU urges European Commission to look at controversial sheep tagging rules
During a meeting with commissioners from the EU, the NFU has raised concerns over the impact of the controversial electronic tagging (EID) rules for sheep which were introduced at the beginning of this year.
Prior to the meeting with industry, held in Penrith, yesterday Wednesday, officials saw first hand the practical implications of implementing EID and individual recording in the high output and pressurised environment of a busy livestock market.
NFU livestock chairman Alistair Mackintosh took the opportunity to speak directly to EC officials in order to once again raise concerns about the potential impact of EID and individual recording on the UK sheep industry and to explain how easily farmers could inadvertently fall foul of the regulations.
The implications a breach of the rules could have on the Single Farm payment are a major concern to our farmers said Mr Mackintosh. The Single Farm Payment is the lifeline for British livestock farmers, in my view it is unacceptable that this support could potentially be compromised unless some allowance for tolerance is accepted by the enforcement authorities.
I have stressed the need for recognition of the limitations of the technology to deliver 100 per cent accuracy, 100 per cent of the time in practical situations and I am also concerned at the level of detail required to be kept in holding registers. I hope Defra officials will now work closely with their counterparts at the Commission to ensure a practical, sensible and proportionate system is taken forward that takes account of our concerns.
The NFU also recognises there is a massive problem associated with individually movement recording the historic flock from 2012 and we have stressed the need for the commission to re-visit this area of the regulation. Again, we would urge the Commission to take a practical and understanding approach to an issue that could be a real headache to British sheep farmers.
The main areas of concern centre on:
The implications for cross compliance and the need for a flexible and proportionate regulatory approach
A permanent exemption from individually movement-recording animals born prior to December 31 2009 (the historic flock)
And for the commission to look at further concessions such as only applying EID tags once an animal leaves its holding of birth.
The visit took place ahead of a visit next month from the Commissioner responsible for health and consumer policy John Dalli following a personal invitation from UK Farming Minister Jim Paice.
Alistair Mackintosh said: The meeting in November represents a vitally important opportunity to once again highlight the concerns of British farmers to Commissioner Dalli, and the impact that the full implementation of this regulation will have on our producers. The NFU will be stressing the importance of this visit to our Minister and asking him for his continued help and support in achieving a workable solution for all.