Gildernew secures vital concessions for flock-keepers in the run up to EID

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA has announced that following discussions in Brussels today a number of important concessions has been secured for Flock-keepers here in the run-up to electronic identification in December 2009.

Outlining the developments in Brussels the Minister said: "Following intensive negotiations in Brussels we have been able to secure a number of vital concessions for our Flock-keepers.

"The acceptance by the Commission of Third Party Recording at Critical Control Points will mean that Markets and Meat Plants can read eartags and report movements directly to the DARD Database (APHIS). This avoids the need for keepers to read eartags before animals leave the holding which means that the majority of keepers here will not have to purchase tag readers thus reducing costs very significantly.

"Another important concession secured is that lambs tagged under the slaughter derogation can be upgraded to EID provided cross-referencing takes place between the slaughter tag and the new twin set tags. Previously this could only be done if the animal was still on the holding of birth. "

The Minister added: "The Commission is also making provision for multiple pick-up points which will benefit farmers who are members of lamb groups and farmers who use commercial hauliers and the Commission has also agreed to extend the periods for notifications to DARD and entering data on to APHIS".

In conclusion, the Minister said: "The concessions secured today go some way to addressing the needs of our industry. However, I am extremely disappointed that the British Government has agreed not to seek further concessions from the Commission until after the Regulation comes into force at the end of the year.

"I share the same views as my Ministerial colleague in Scotland, Richard Lochhead, on this point as we both fought hard for Defra to keep the door open for further negotiations with the Commission. However, our pleas were ignored.

"That is why in the interests of farmers and the industry here, I am determined to continue to make direct approaches to the Commission at every opportunity. I will be pushing to secure further concessions on North/South trade and the tagging requirements for sheep being retained on the holding of birth, e.g. for breeding purposes."

Notes to Editors:

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