Warm welcome for 'Scottish solution' to sheep identification

There was good news from Brussels yesterday for the Scottish sheep industry with a decision that the current system for identifying sheep will be acceptable to the European authorities.

The electronic readers at auction markets and abattoirs are short of 100 per cent accuracy and European auditors were threatening to penalise farmers who could not comply with the desires for complete accuracy. However, the Scottish Government announced yesterday that it had been successful in negotiations with the EU on plans for a proportionate cross-compliance system for sheep farmers.

The "Scottish solution" takes account of the unique nature of the country's diverse sheep industry. Under the new regime, Scottish farmers must comply with the EU regulations to avoid penalties. However, some leeway at inspection is to be allowed - to account for technology failures and the difficulties associated with gathering sheep on extensive hill terrain.

Rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead said: "I'm pleased the European Commission has accepted our proposal for a more proportionate compliance system.

"I do not for a minute pretend that the regime will be easy for many producers, but I do hope that this news will at least lift the fear that unavoidable errors would lead to draconian penalties. This has been the source of anxiety for many."

NFU Scotland president Nigel Miller also expressed his pleasure at the decision which would avoid what he described as bureaucratic nightmare "It is a welcome relief that Scottish Government and sheep industry stakeholders are to see some pay-back for all the investment and energy which has gone into developing the Scottish sheep EID system."

The Scottish Government will shortly send out guidance for sheep farmers, including how to reduce the risk of incurring cross-compliance penalties.