NFU unhappy as sheep movement rules are delayed

A concession that delays the introduction of controversial new sheep movement recording rules for a year was last night given a mooted response by Scotland's farming sector.

NFU Scotland chief executive James Withers said the exemption failed completely to address the real issue that individual recording was a step too far for the Scottish sheep industry.

Farming ministry Defra had earlier hailed the concessions it won through a qualified majority at Europe's standing committee on food chain and animal health.

Europe had been planning to impose mandatory individual movement recording from December 31, 2009.

But it is now to delay the requirement on individual recording until January 1, 2011. It has also decided against demanding the individual recording of sheep born before December 31, 2009, until December 31, 2011.

The other main exemption is to exclude sheep born before December 31, 2009, and heading for slaughter either direct to an abattoir or via a market from the recording regime altogether.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said Britain had pressed hard for the exemptions that reduced the administrative burden of recording on industry. “I appreciate there are practical issues with implementation and we want to work closely with industry to ensure that we put in place a practical system that they can work with."

Mr Benn said he was still seeking assurances from the commission that regulation was cost-effective. But Mr Withers criticised the government, adding: “NFU Scotland views individual recording of sheep movements to be completely unworkable in Scotland. Delaying it for a year simply buys us another 12 months breathing space, but doesn't address the fundamental issue.

“Individual recording is practicably impossible to implement in Scotland, irrespective of when that happens. We need the UK to press for the voluntary adoption of electronic identification and individual recording, recognising that Scotland and the UK's sheep industry is unique in its scale and structure.”