Moore backs NFU's call for compromise over sheep ID tags (Dumfries Liberal Democrats)

Dumfries Liberal Democrats <tom@therussells.org.uk>

Moore backs NFU's call for compromise over sheep ID tags

April 28, 2009 10:44 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Borders MP Michael Moore is backing a call by the National Farmers Union of Scotland for a compromise solution to be found to the problem of sheep identification tags.

Mr Moore met with the President and Vice-President of the National Farmers Union of Scotland following their meeting with the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, at Westminster yesterday.Michael Moore MP

He heard directly from them about some of the difficulties already facing hill farmers in Scotland and the additional problems that the sheep tag proposals would cause.

Mr Moore believes there is already plenty of evidence that the European Commission's proposals, which are due to come into force from 1 January 2010, will result in many farmers being forced to give up their flocks. He says that the proposals as they stand would have a severe financial impact on hill farmers, many of whom are already suffering significant economic pressures.

Following recent questions to the Secretary of State in the Commons, Mr Moore hopes that it will still be possible for the UK Government to persuade the European Commission to abandon their plans altogether. Failing this, Mr Moore believes that Government officials should be actively backing the NFUS' call for compromise.

In a letter to Mr Benn following his meeting with the NFUS, Mr Moore said:

"I do not think there is anybody who wishes to underplay the importance of improved traceability in the context of animal and human health - if anyone doubted it, the current outbreak of "swine flu", sourced from Mexico, should answer their queries.

"However, in tackling the issues surrounding traceability, it is essential that the economics and technological issues are also taken into account, which I believe is far from being the case under the current European sheep identification proposals.

"It is no exaggeration to say that the decisions taken on this issue will have a major strategic impact on the shape of farming across Britain, and particularly in Scotland. I know from my own constituency that the flight from the hills is gathering pace and the prospect of the huge additional burdens contained within this proposal can only make matters worse. There are already significant pressures on the economics of hill farming which the new Regulation will make intolerable for many."