I’m fed up with talking about the weather, but I can console myself with the fact we have grabbed every opportunity so far and progress is not too bad.Benn calls for softer EID tagging rules
HILARY Benn, Defra secretary, has promised to call on his European counterparts to soften electronic tagging regulations before they come into force next January.
Under the regulation, all sheep born after December 31, 2009, and not intended for slaughter within 12 months will have to be double tagged, with an electronic identification tag and a visual tag.
The intention is to provide greater traceability but sheep farmers fear the costs will far outweigh the benefits.
Ministers from the devolved governments met with Mr Benn on Tuesday (June 2) to express their deep concerns.
Scottish rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead told Mr Benn: “Although Europe has made some concessions – delaying the original introduction date and allowing for the regulations to be phased in – they don't go far enough.
“Our sheep farmers deserve our support and in Scotland those farming on the hills currently face difficulties which will potentially be compounded by the introduction of the new sheep tagging rules,” he said.
Mr Benn responded by promising to take the fight to his European colleagues.
“We still believe the costs outweigh the benefits. As I've said before, this will require the support of other Member States. I have therefore decided to write today to my counterparts across the EU to seek support for a further measure which would help our farmers.
“The proposal would allow farmers to delay tagging their sheep until they leave the holding; it would also deal with the problem of replacing lost tags. This change would also require Commission support,” he said.
NFU Scotland president Jim McLaren said Mr Benn's intervention was welcome. “Engagement with other member states is the crucial part of the process needed if changes in the proposals are to be achieved,” he said.
He added a UK farming delegation would attend an EU-wide meeting in Frankfurt, Germany, on Thursday (June 4).
“We will be ensuring that all producer organisations present at this EU-wide meeting are alive to the damage the new legislation could wreak on the European sheep sector and will urge their own respective Governments to press for change to the whole regulation,” he said.
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