RBST Calls on Members to Raise Concerns Over EU Tag Line

Rare Breeds Survival Trust is calling on the European Community to let the UK decide for itself about introducing electronic identification (EID) for sheep. At the very least RBST wants the EC to remove the burden of compulsory EID - both for small flock keepers and for those with larger flocks of breeds that are at risk.

 This call follows an announcement made on 28 January 2009 by Farming Minister, Jane Kennedy that farmers in England will not have to tag sheep intended for slaughter before they are 12 months old. 

 Despite this announcement, RBST strongly supports the efforts of the NSA in trying to persuade Defra and EU officials to recognise that their proposals bring no benefit to British sheep farmers.

 The EU proposals impose wholly impractical and unnecessary tagging regulations on UK sheep keepers. RBST strenuously opposes this additional burden on the industry. It does not accept that the introduction of these measures will contribute significantly to disease control or animal welfare standards.

 The UK already has extremely effective animal identification and movement regulations. These work well, are accepted and followed by UK farmers and provide adequate safeguards and traceability.

 RBST Vice Chairman, Peter Titley, said: "RBST is now calling on all its members to raise this issue with their MP's and MEP's in order to make clear to Government that our opposition to EID is undiminished.”

 "It is important that UK livestock keepers stand together against the imposition of systems which increase the workload and costs of an already hard-pressed sector yet present no benefits."