Sheep farmers make their feelings known

The first in a series of meetings around Scotland on the implementation of sheep movements proved to be a tousy affair, with farmers letting Scottish Government officials know in plain language what they thought of the system

More than 80 Scottish sheep farmers crammed into the Thainstone market, Inverurie, to hear Scottish Government rural payments and inspections directorate officials and NFU Scotland representatives provide details on how the system should operate.

But proof that the European-led rules on recording sheep movements and electronic tagging remained deeply unpopular with many Scottish producers was soon evident with examples being given on how the system was fallible.

Speaking after the meeting, NFUS livestock policy manager Penny Johnston said “Given the frank discussions, I am sure SGRPID staff left the meeting with a clear steer on the significant number of problems sheep farmers are having in meeting requirements on electronic tagging and movement recording.

“The lengthy list of problems ranged from the reliability of the EID technology, no clear picture of the read rates required to meet compliance standards, poor quality of tags supplied and the difficulties endured by those who have had official sheep inspections on farm.”

Although documents providing guidance on compliance were issued recently by Scottish Government to all registered sheep producers, many farmers are still unclear as to what specifically is required.