NEWS
Sheep tagging guidance
27/01/2010
New European rules requiring sheep to be electronically tagged are to be simplified for the Scottish farming industry, reducing bureaucracy and keeping trade efficient.The Scottish Government will also support the industry transition to full electronic identification (EID) by covering the additional cost of tags for all farms taking part in the £3 million EID research pilot. The pilot is to be extended to continue to identify workable solutions that will further reduce industry costs and all farms will be eligible to take part.An extra £1 million will be made available to pay for the tags on farms taking part in the research pilot. This is part of a package of measures announced by Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead, which also includes:
* Introducing critical control points allowing tags to be scanned at markets or abattoirs, reducing costs to farmers by 50 per cent - a saving of £4 million across the sector
* Permitting the use of batch recording for 'within business' moves, removing the need to individually record animals which move between holdings in a business
* Enhancing the new database, which is part of the research pilot, to develop the long term benefits of EID, leading to quicker and more accurate systems.
* Allowing the use of single tags for animals due for slaughter within 12 months
* Funding of up to £1000 per farm to assist those who choose to purchase electronic reading equipment for on-farm management purposes, through the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP)
Mr Lochhead said:"Following two years of wrangling in Europe to achieve greater flexibility on tagging for Scottish farmers, we won important concessions to reduce its impact and cut farmers' costs by around 50 per cent. Now that we must implement these rules, I am keen we keep the system as simple as possible and maximise the opportunity to build on the excellent reputation that Scotch lamb already enjoys at home and abroad."That is why I have decided, following thorough consultation with the industry, that all sheep should be electronically tagged, including those sent for slaughter. This will keep paperwork to a minimum, maintain traditional market patterns and allow markets and abattoirs to operate as critical control points to the benefit of the whole sector."The Scottish Government will be supporting the industry through the transition to full electronic identification over the coming year. We will be providing funding of £1 million to cover the additional cost of EID tags on partner farms, which will range from as little as £10 per farm to several hundred pounds, and offering up to £1000 per farm for those who choose to buy on-farm electronic reading equipment."We will continue to fight for further concessions, including not having to tag animals until they leave the farm of their birth for the first time, which would assist hill sheep farmers in particular. Now that Europe has a new Commissioner, we have an opportunity to argue for these concessions and will be seeking an early opportunity to do so."
Working with stakeholders, the Scottish Government has already fought for and secured a number of concessions in Europe:
* Approval of critical control points, which means tags are scanned at markets or abattoirs rather than on farms, slashing farmers' costs by about 50 per cent
* Phasing in of individual recording requirement for animals to significantly reduce the burden - tags and farm holding registers from 2010, movement documents from 2011, all animals (ie. including those born before January 1, 2010) from 2012
New rules on Electronic Sheep Identification came into force on January 1. They were agreed back in 2003 following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in 2001 and were signed up to by the UK Government and previous devolved administrations. It replaces current double tagging rules for sheep, which have been in force since January 2008.Although the rules took effect from January 1, the changes will take some time to come into full effect. For the majority of sheep farmers changes will start with the 2010 lamb crop, so there is no need for any immediate action.While the Scottish Government supports the need for traceability, it has consistently argued that the rules place unnecessary burdens on farmers, creating additional cost and bureaucracy with little improvement in traceability.Additional funding of £1 million will help subsidise the cost of electronic tags during 2010-11. It will be available to farms signing up to the EID research pilot, which also provides training and practical help for farmers.
Failure to comply with the EID rules is not an option. The Scottish Government would be financially penalised and farmers would lose between 15 and 50 per cent of their Single Farm Payments.
SHEEP SCAB
Outcome of the Sheep Scab Stakeholders meeting held in December
At the meeting the following was agreed:
An approach that co-ordinated treatment and management of the disease using focused treatment periods within regions was most likely to be successful. The industry would establish a strategic framework with three key strands: “risk assessment”, “co-ordinated treatment delivery” and “tackling stigma”. A co-ordinated voluntary treatment period of 10th September – 15thNovember 2010 would be advertised and promoted by industry, starting around June of 2010. Arrangements within this window might be specific to circumstances within different areas and a regional co-ordinator could facilitate these arrangements. Treating outside of this period would still be permitted.
There was a consensus that stigma attached to sheep scab inhibits farmers from communicating their infection status to surrounding farms and local authorities, thereby preventing effective disease control. It was agreed that if notification of the disease were a legal requirement that would support the proposed industry strategy and improve enforcement by the local authorities, who would be more aware of the disease to implement the provisions of the current sheep scab legislation.
Government officials confirmed that SG is supportive of the industry initiative and that we have draft legislation in preparation which includes a provision for the compulsory notification of sheep scab.
FOOD CHAIN INFORMATION
Guidance Leaflet and Downloadable forms.
FSA Leaflet.pdf (1.54 MB)
PRIME SHEEP FORM
Food Chain Info for Prime Sheep.doc 87.50 KB
PRIME CATTLE AND OTM FORM
Food Chain Info for Prime Cattle.doc 87.00 KB
Andrew Morton Lochend wins Prime Sheep Championship for the Ninth Time Full report to follow, Andrew is seen here with the Judge Mr Richard Johnston of T Johnston & Sons Quality Butchers, Falkirk, Airdrie and Dunfermline
WALLACE BLACK TRIUMPHS AT CHRISTMAS SHOW AND SALE see report in full on sales reports page. Below is the Champion seen here with Buyer Mr Cairns, Butcher, Law
Young Farmers Page includes details of forthcoming events and Information on Calf Competition.
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