Mick Bates Calls for Committee Inquiry into EID

12.00.00am GMT Thu 15th Jan 2009

Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, Mick Bates AM, has called for the Rural Development Sub-Committee to conduct an inquiry into the introduction of compulsory electronic identification of sheep (EID) into the UK.

Commenting, the Montgomeryshire AM stated:

"Serious concerns have been raised by farmers and the farming unions, regarding the impact that the additional cost of compulsory electronic tagging will have on farm profits, which are already suffering with high production costs and decreasing farm gate prices.

"EID is seen by many as an unnecessary expense and burden on farmers, which will only add to the red tape within the industry and will have a damaging impact on the whole farming sector in Wales.

"This is a serious issue and I have urged the Rural Development Sub-Committee to consider an investigation into electronic identification and the impending European regulations as our next inquiry."