EID OF SHEEP IS 'FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED' (Fiona Hall MEP)

Fiona Hall MEP <info@fionahall.org.uk>

EID OF SHEEP IS 'FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED'

February 24, 2009 12:00 AM

sheep Lib Dem MEP Fiona Hall has joined a cross-party group of MEPs in signing a resolution in support of sheep farmers in Northumberland.

The resolution opposes the introduction of compulsory individual movement recording and electronic sheep identification planned for December 2009, which has caused a massive outcry from sheep farmers across the region.

Fiona has written to the Secretary of State for Rural Affairs, Hilary Benn MP, asking him to consider introducing sheep and goat identification tagging on a voluntary basis only, so the system does not place overbearing costs on farmers.

"It is my belief that compulsory sheep tagging will cause unnecessary burdens for farmers. Test runs of the scheme have shown up implementation difficulties, practical problems and high costs - with unproven benefits," said Fiona

"Current recording systems are simple, efficient and cost effective and already help control animal disease.

"The UK and the Republic of Ireland are the largest sheep producers in the EU. British farmers need any new identification system to work effectively but this one is fundamentally flawed."