28/07/06
A great relief it undoubtedly is, but the extension of the temporary
derogation from EU double tagging rules won by Defra for English
sheep producers this month gives the industry barely six months
grace in which to demonstrate its identification system is on
a par with other member states, warns the English Beef and Lamb
Executive (EBLEX).
The extension of the derogation to June 2007 means another year
without the extra expense and hassle of double tagging. However,
it was hard won and involved undertakings on the robustness of
the current national identification system which will have to be
delivered in practice if the continued threat of double tagging
is to be lifted from producers.
The undertakings will require some additional legislative changes
which have yet to be fully clarified. What is already clear,
though, is that the system will have to pass a further inspection
by EU Food & Veterinary Officers next February – the
third in as many years. This puts the onus on every sheep
and goat producer to make sure they fully comply with the official
identification rules within the coming six months.
EBLEX stresses that, although successful, the last FVO inspection
raised concerns over a number of areas of current practice – including
incomplete movement documents – which will need to be adequately
addressed if the double tagging derogation is to be maintained.
In this respect, every producer needs to ensure:
- All animals are tagged correctly in accordance with the rules;
- All details required on movement documents are completed fully
and accurately;
- On-Farm Movement Books are kept up-to-date;
- Any changes in registered keeper circumstances are reported
to the RPA; and,
- Annual Inventory Forms are completed and returned promptly
when required.
There remains confusion with some producers over the detail of
the rules introduced in 2005, which define individual holdings,
set clear requirements for identifying all sheep and goats with
specific types of ear tags and demand the recording of all movements
to and from all holdings.The fact that sheep producers failing
to conform to the animal identification and movement rules risk
having improperly or un-identified stock excluded from the food
chain as well as losing part of their single farm payment, makes
it even more important for everyone to get everything right.
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