Livestock exporters are reminded of the need for barcoded ear tags

Wales’ farmers are being reminded by the Farmers Union of Wales that from Novemeber 1 all foreign buyers will require all calves exported from UK to have barcoded tags in place.

“It is also understood that any animals not carrying the relevant barcoded tags after that date will not be paid for,” said FUW Vice President Brian Walters.

“I believe most of the tag companies are now in a position to supply the barcoded tags, and it is essential that any farmers hoping to take full advantage of the market tag their cattle in a way that suits the requirements of their potential customers.”

The FUW has also condemmed EU plans to cut compensation payments paid to farmers whose stock is compulsoraly purchased for the purposes of disease control.

“Farmers already have to deal with the financial and emotional trauma of seeing their animals destroyed due to an outbreak of disease,” said FUW President Gareth Vaughan.

“If these proposals go through they will be another kick in the teeth for our decent, hard-pressed farmers,” he said. “It’s outrageous that such a move is on the agenda.”

The European Commission is planning legislation that would slash the amount of compensation paid to farmers for the compulsory destruction of their animals by 25%. This would cover such diseases as bovine tuberculosis, foot-and-mouth and avian flu.

In addition, compensation would only be paid if the farmer lost 30% of his stock.

“These half-baked measures will do nothing for disease control and will simply be a penny-pinching measure by bureaucrats,” said Mr Vaughan. “It is wrong and the FUW will fight these proposals all the way.”

Formal discussions on the plans will take place with member states in Brussels on 25 October. The Commission hopes that if adopted, the final guidelines will be in place by December.