Listen
Sheep tagging
22/06/2009
European Ministers are set to discuss Scottish proposals on electronic sheep identification at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Luxembourg.
The measures, originated in Scotland and adopted by the UK Government, aim to ensure an effective and workable traceability system for disease prevention and control.
Rural Affairs and Environment Secretary Richard Lochead said:
"I am delighted that this Scottish proposal will be raised in Luxembourg. We must ensure that Scotland has an effective, efficient and workable traceability system for disease prevention and control.
"I raised this issue at a recent meeting with Hilary Benn and I delighted that it is now on the agenda.
"We will continue engagement with the UK Government to press the Commission to reduce the burden of implementation on Scottish Farmers."
The agenda item seeks support from other Member States and to persuade the Commission to propose further amendments to Regulation 21/2004 to allow individual tagging of sheep to be deferred until they leave the holding of birth.