Following a meeting of the UK farming unions' livestock board
chairs in Scotland last week1, the organisations have
underlined the need for any changes to cattle identification to
utilise new and effective technologies so livestock and dairy
businesses can fully benefit.
At the meeting, the UK farming unions agreed that there are real
potential benefits of introducing bovine Electronic
Identification (bEID), from efficiency and animal health and
welfare gains to improving the health and safety of livestock
handlers.
The board chairs recognised the different technologies available
for bEID introduction in each devolved nation. However, there was
consensus that the unions must continue work with future
governments to ensure livestock movement systems work for
livestock and dairy businesses across all nations.
This comes as English farmers await Defra's response to the
consultation on cattle identification, registration and
movements, which has been paused due to the general election, and
as Scottish farmers are being encouraged to submit their
responses to the Cattle Identification and Traceability
consultation which is currently live.
New bEID technologies were demonstrated as part of the visit at
Upper Nisbet, Jedburgh, as part of the pioneering research and
development carried out in Scotland by ScotEID2.
NFU Scotland livestock board chair Hugh Fraser
said: “It was great to host our
counterparts from the across UK and showcase our leading animal
health and welfare research at the Moredun Institute, and the
industry's ambition and recognition of bEID. 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: “The farm trip to Upper Nisbet
allowed us to see bEID technology in practice. BEID offers
farmers so many benefits with health and safety being one of the
most important.
“Meanwhile, our visit to the Moredun Institute allowed us to see
some of the research work being done into sheep scab, roundworms,
and other diseases. This critical research will help the future
generations of farmers to detect and vaccinate for diseases to
help improve animal health and welfare on farm.”
The meeting underlined many shared challenges for livestock
farmers across the UK and opportunities for cross-union working.
Discussions included taking a joint approach on BTV-3 in terms of
both vaccine rollout and trade implications, securing a fair
return for livestock, and reiterating the important role of
ruminants in delivering food security.
Notes to editors:
- The UK Farming Unions are: NFU, NFU Scotland, NFU Cymru and
Ulster Farmers' Union.
