Get to grips with cattle traceabilitynow, warns CLA

13 August 1998

Get to grips with cattle traceability
now, warns CLA

By FWi staff

FARMERS and landowners should familiarise themselves with the Governments Cattle Tracing System as soon as possible, urges the Country Landowners Association.

“MAFF is now sending out guidance notes on the new style cattle passports to all registered cattle keepers, cattle markets and abattoirs in preparation for the introduction of the new system on 28 September,” said Lucy Morgan Edwards, CLA agricultural land-use adviser.

“We are advising everyone who will be affected by the new tracing system to familiarise themselves with the rules and procedures as soon as possible. Responsibility for recording cattle movements lies with the animals keeper and the Government proposes strict penalties for anyone failing to comply with the regulations,” she warns.

The new cattle tracing system will register all cattle movements from birth to death on a computerised database. It will apply to cattle registered or imported on or after 28 September.

Meanwhile, Jeff Rooker, junior agriculture minister, said European farm ministers would have no excuses for retaining the world ban on British beef once the new tracking system was in place.

Mr Rooker said he hopes the system will convince EU vets and politicians that British beef is safe.

Interviewed on BBC radio, he said: “Certainly we hope that before the end of the year we might get a vote in our favour.”