Technical problems with electronic tags pose new threat to sheep farmers - Liz Lynne MEP

12.50.00pm GMT Thu 14th Jan 2010

Liz Lynne MEP discussing fears over sheep tags with Shropshire farmer Richard Huffer at Ludlow livestock market

Ministers must investigate reports of serious technical problems with electronic tagging equipment farmers now must use to record movements of sheep, says local LibDem MEP Liz Lynne.

Despite some late concessions, the electronic tagging (EID) scheme was introduced across the EU at the beginning of January, but there are already many reports that both the fixed and hand held tagging readers are proving very unreliable.

Some estimates put the cost of tagging each sheep at £1.50, posing a major threat to the future viability of sheep farming. Livestock markets also report that the fixed electronic tag readers, which cost up to £20,000 each to install, frequently break down or fail to read the tag data correctly. Some markets serving sheep farmers in the West Midlands have warned of serious difficulties at the height of the ewe and new lamb sales due in February and March if the problems are not fixed.

Local Lib Dem Euro MP Liz Lynne has consistently opposed individual tags as unnecessary for sheep and smaller animals and heard farmers' concerns during visits to markets at Ludlow and Leek.

She said: "These reports of technical problems are very worrying and I urge ministers to see what steps can be taken to sort them out. As well as the cost of the tagging machines, if they don't work properly the extra time to process the data is potentially a huge burden and extra cost on farmers at a vital time.

"I do recognise that tags will potentially allow sheep breeders to keep more detailed records, but it is absolutely vital that the equipment works properly and is not prohibitively expensive. It would not be fair if large producers reaped the benefits while small farmers went under because of the cost of these tags is even higher than expected, particularly if they don't work properly. Many small sheep farms, particularly hill farmers, are struggling.

"Ministers must take action to ensure that the system works as planned and if necessary help fund the purchase of reliable fixed tag readers at livestock markets as the Scottish Executive has done."

"The EU Commission must also monitor the way the tagging system is working and if necessary take action if the problems turn out to be as serious as many fear.

"I have never been convinced that we need to tag sheep in the way we do cattle. But now that the scheme has been launched, it is vital that technical problems are sorted out without imposing even bigger costs on hardpressed local farmers."

ENDS