EC moves to microchip sheep

14 February 2000



EC moves to microchip sheep

SOME 20m sheep may have to be implanted with a microchip in order to
safeguard exports to Europe.

The government is considering the option because of a European Commission
directive which requires the implementation this year of compulsory lamb
traceability rules for export animals.

The electronic tagging option will be put to a meeting of farmers
leaders and technical experts at the Meat and Livestock Commission in Milton
Keynes on Wednesday.

The European Union requires that lambs are marked by two devices
— one of them a conventional ear-tag — to show their farm of
origin.

Farmers are expected to be compelled by this autumn to fit each new lamb
with an eartag, plus either a tattoo or a chip.

• Back sheep tags to boost exports, says MLC, FWi, 11 August, 1999
• 
  Movement on NFUs voluntary sheep-tag plan, FWi, 07 August 1998
  
• The Daily Telegraph 14/02/2000 page 7