Wednesday, 9th December 2009
Euro MP wants Shetland sheep to opt out of elecrtonic eartags
Scottish MEP Struan Stevenson has called for a last-minute derogation from electronic identification for sheep in Shetland.
The Conservative MEP has tabled an oral question to the European Parliament requesting that sheep on Shetland are spared from electronic tagging. In his question he raises concerns about the future of the Island’s struggling sheep farmers.
EU Council regulation 21/2004 requires individual identification and recording of sheep and goat movements across Europe from 1st January 2010. To achieve this, Member States will be required to implement EID of their sheep flock.
Mr Stevenson said:
“As a remote island community, Shetland has one point of entry and currently all sheep and cattle moving onto the island are examined by a vet, their identities are recorded and they are blood tested. In this way, Shetland is already well equipped quickly and effectively to trace animal movements.
“The implementation of EID will only serve to force the few remaining Shetland sheep farmers out of business, many of whom keep their flocks in the most remote locations and would therefore incur the highest adjustment costs. It would also offer no additional benefits for disease control within the UK or Europe.”
Mr Stevenson has campaigned extensively for a complete u-turn on electronic identification and has also signed a resolution expressing his concerns regarding sheep tagging.
