Electronic ID v 20-day plan
Electronic ID v 20-day plan
ELECTRONIC identification of the UKs national sheep flock has been a controversial issue among sheep farmers since it was first mooted by the EU.
Now it is being touted by one auctioneer as a preferable method of monitoring stock movements to the governments 20-day animal movement ban.
Harrison & Hetherington believes electronic ID is a workable alternative to the 20-day ban, which it claims will have "dire consequences" for livestock producers.
Edward Brown, senior auctioneer for the Carlisle-based company, says electronic ID of sheep will provide "total traceability" and a watertight movement system.
"Under the 20-day standstill no stock, other than those being sent direct from farm to abattoir, can be moved off the holding for 20 days after new stock has been brought on to the farm. That is unworkable.
"As an industry we have to recognise that we must find other ways of achieving traceability and preventing disease spread.
"Electronic ID of sheep must be introduced and backed up with government grants to remove any cost burden to industry," says Mr Brown.
He believes a full review of auction marts and livestock movements is on the governments agenda, but says that introducing hurried legislation is counter productive.
"The 20-day ban will impact immediately on all livestock producers at a time when re-stocking and getting foot-and-mouth victims back in business is a priority."
Harrison & Hetherington says the government should use auction marts to help. Premises should be licensed to meet new standards concerning livestock movements.
The auctioneer is appealing to all farmers and farming organisations to respond to the governments 20-day standstill consultation paper before the June 11 deadline.
David Smith, chairman of the National Sheep Association, says electronic ID of sheep is inevitable but the cost remains prohibitive.
"Sheep producers cannot be expected to use a system whose cost is based on cattle that are worth at least 10 times more than sheep.
"Until the price comes down I firmly believe we already have the makings of a workable framework to monitor livestock movements, if it was properly policed." *
Sheep movement could be severely restricted if the 20-day standstill goes ahead. Electronic ID, maybe using boluses, could be the answer.