PRESS RELEASE

Moore welcomes EID Scheme Review and European Commission Visit to Scotland

Michael Moore MP

06-Jul-2010

Local MP and Scottish Secretary Michael Moore has welcomed the UK Government’s request to the European Commission for a review of the implementation of sheep identification regulations

Before the legislation was introduced Mr Moore travelled to Brussels and met with EU officials to lobby against the new EID rules, which came into force at the beginning of 2010.

Following meetings with local farmers and industry representatives, Mr Moore confirmed at the Royal Highland Show that the UK Government would press the European Commission to review the way in which the new rules that force farmers to electronically tag their sheep were implemented. The Agriculture Minister, James Paice MP, raised the issue in the European Council last week.

Following the UK Government’s intervention, John Dalli, head of Europe’s health and consumer commission, accepted the Government’s invitation to visit the UK to see first hand the problems caused for sheep farmers by the controversial EID scheme.

Commenting Mr Moore said:

‘Before the new rules were introduced, I warned EU officials that they were unworkable and would cause severe difficulties for sheep farmers in the Borders. Local concerns about the high additional costs of the scheme without any commensurate and tangible benefits have proved justified.

‘A review of the legislation is required urgently and in my capacity as Scottish Secretary I will be working with colleagues in the UK and Scottish governments to pursue this issue in Brussels.’

‘As first step, I am delighted that John Dalli has agreed to come to Scotland as part of his visit to the UK to see firsthand the problems EID has created for sheep farmers. It is vital he and his officials can gain a real understanding of the unique difficulties faced by many of our hill farmers and the extra burden the EID scheme has placed on them.”

ENDS

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