We told you so says Smith

THIS week's EU agricultural committee debate on the electronic identification of sheep was a frustrating experience for Scottish MEP Alyn Smith.

"It is frustrating that other countries are now discovering precisely the problems we said they would. If any other member state is seriously suggesting they are not having problems implementing EID then they are not implementing it properly."

Smith told the committee that the sheep EID legislation was proof that the EU parliament should not just pass new requirements but should also then monitor how they were being implemented.

"If it does not do what it says on the tin then we need to revisit the whole regulation."

He proposed that the EU parliament should hold an inquiry into the subject and ensure it remained on the agenda.