The UK farming unions have joined forces and agreed that any changes to cattle identification must use new technologies so livestock and dairy businesses can fully benefit.
The unions agreed that there are real potential benefits to introducing bovine Electronic Identification (bEID), but said governments must work to ensure the systems work for livestock and dairy businesses across all nations.
The four UK farming unions are the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), the National Farmers’ Union of Wales (NFU Cymru), the National Farmers’ Union of Scotland (NFUS) and the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU).
The livestock board chairs from the four unions met last week and acknowledged the different technologies available for bEID introduction in each devolved nation.
There was consensus that the unions must continue work with future governments to ensure livestock movement systems work for livestock and dairy businesses in the UK.
The news comes as English farmers await the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra’s) response to the consultation on cattle identification, registration and movements, which has been paused due to the General Election.
As well as this, Scottish farmers are being encouraged to submit their responses to the Cattle Identification and Traceability consultation which is currently live.
Electronic identification
NFU Scotland livestock board chair Hugh Fraser said: “I would urge all governments to consider evidence produced by ScotEID trials to enable the livestock sector to access the identified benefits of bEID, which can only be delivered by Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) tags.
“The Scottish government is currently consulting on this, and we have a real opportunity to get bEID across the line.
“We look forward to continuing to work with other UK farming unions on bEID as well as other areas of mutual concern.”
NFU livestock board chair David Barton said: “The benefits of transitioning towards bEID tags are very clear – reducing transcription errors, improving the health and safety for those of us that handle cattle, and driving forward innovation and productivity.
“I have seen firsthand the benefits that UHF tags can offer the sector, and as a beef farmer I do not want these technologies to be overlooked and ignored.
“Future governments will need to seriously consider what is best for the long-term future of modern farm businesses, and I believe access to both UHF and LF, mandated at the same time, should be part of that.”
NFU Cymru livestock board chair Rob Lewis said members have made it clear that they see the introduction of electronic ID on cattle tags as being “long overdue”.
“However, we need a robust, future proof and cost-effective system that can be totally aligned with a modernized cattle database.
“The outcome of ongoing government trial work on farm, in markets and in abattoirs will be important in deciding on the best way forward.”
UFU outgoing beef and lamb chair Pat McKay said bEID offers farmers so many benefits with health and safety being one of the most important.
