Decline in cattle identification breaches

Fewer farmers are breaching cattle identification rules, according to the latest statistics.

Some 44.6% of farms inspected during 2010 were found to have cattle identification breaches, compared to a high of 51.2% the year before.

A list of the most common cross-compliance breaches is due to be published on the Rural Payments Agency website on Tuesday (29 March).

The value of all cross compliance reductions made under the Single Payment Scheme in 2010 is £2,072,620.

Russell Graham, of the agency’s cross-compliance unit, said: “We’re pleased to see more farmers playing their part in disease management by following the rules on cattle movement closely.

“We hope this is in part thanks to the self-service phone line and online reporting services now offered by the British Cattle Movement Service, which are designed to make it easy for farmers to comply.”

Breaches of animal welfare requirements also declined, thanks to better record-keeping in terms of medicines and mortalities.