This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Tagging deal for sheep and goats
17/12/2003
The Executive has successfully negotiated a long term
deal on electronic tagging of sheep and goats while
retaining current arrangements Rural Development Minister
Ross Finnie announced today.
The deal means that current sheep and goat
identification arrangements will remain until January 1,
2008, subject to Commission approval.
Benefits of the changes to the Council proposals to
establish an identification and registration system for
ovine and caprine animals include:
• No double tagging
• No requirement for paper recording of individual
numbers
• Retention of replacement tags
• And a nine month deadline for identification of
extensively reared animals.
Welcoming the agreement, Mr Finnie said:
"We have worked hard with the industry to achieve
significant changes that properly take account of the
extensive nature of the industry in Scotland and the need
to move animals for finishing.
"The contribution and co-operation of industry bodies
has been critical to achieving this successful outcome.
"We will continue to research the use of electronic
identification to inform future discussions with the
European Union.
"While we recognise the potential benefits of electronic
identification, it has to be workable, affordable to the
industry and practical. We will continue to press the
commission to publish a cost benefit analysis on the use of
electronic ID.
"It is important that the industry recognises that
compliance with current requirements will underpin the
concessions we have achieved. We look to them to meet that
obligation."
The Scottish Executive consulted with a range of
stakeholders on the original EU proposals for sheep and
goat identification and registration to ensure a practical
and workable solution was achieved. Consultation closed at
the end of February.
The EU regulation establishing a System for
Identification and Regulation of Ovine and Caprine Animals
amends EC Regulation 3508/92.
Amendments that will benefit the Scottish industry
include:
• No double tagging (subject to European Commission
approval)
• Removes proposal for individual animal recording on
paper documents.
• Lost tags can be replaced with a new tag with a new
code providing traceability is not compromised
• Provision for extensively reared animal to be
identified within nine months instead of six
• The extension to the proposed implementation date
for mandatory electronic identification of sheep and goats
to January 1, 2008.
• Persuading the Council that 18 months will be
required from the date of the regulations adoption to its
implementation.
The Scottish Executive is already working with industry
representatives to research the practicality of EID
technology in Scotland.
The current system was established out of the need to
improve sheep traceability post FMD.