Livestock leaders see ‘real potential benefits’ of cattle EID
© Tim Scrivener Livestock representatives from the four main farming unions agree there are real potential benefits to introducing bovine electronic identification.
These range from efficiency and animal health and welfare gains to improving the health and safety of livestock handlers.
NFU, NFU Scotland, NFU Cymru and the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) issued a joint statement on Thursday 30 May, welcoming the technology.
See also: Scots government favours early introduction of EID in cattle
Visit to Upper Nisbet Farm © NFU Scotland
If introduced, the technology would see livestock keepers able to scan an animal’s ear tag to access its digital record, make changes, and report births, movements and deaths.
Livestock board chairmen from the four farming unions got to see first-hand new bovine electronic identification (EID) technologies during a recent trip hosted by NFU Scotland.
The trip included Upper Nisbet Farm, a tenanted farm from the Lothian Estate, near Jedburgh, Scottish Borders, run by the Neill family.
They also visited Moredun Research Institute, a world-leading animal health and welfare institute in Edinburgh, and St Boswells Mart live ring cattle auction in the Scottish Borders.
The board chairmen recognised the different technologies available for bovine EID introduction in each devolved nation.
The farming unions also visited Moredun Research Institute © NFU Scotland
Work ongoing
However, there was consensus that the unions must continue to collaborate with future governments to ensure livestock movement systems work for livestock and dairy businesses across all nations.
The visit comes as farmers in England await Defra’s response to a consultation on cattle identification, registration and movements, which has been paused due to the general election.
Meanwhile, Scottish farmers are being encouraged to submit their responses to the Cattle Identification and Traceability consultation which is currently live.
NFU Scotland livestock board chairman Hugh Fraser urged all governments to consider evidence produced by ScotEID trials, to enable the livestock sector to access the identified benefits of bovine EID, which can only be delivered by ultra-high frequency (UHF) tags, which forms part of the Scottish government consultation.
Benefits of transitioning
NFU livestock board chairman David Barton said: “The benefits of transitioning towards bovine EID tags are very clear – reducing transcription errors, improving the health and safety for those that handle cattle, and driving forward innovation and productivity.
“I have seen first-hand 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 [low frequency], mandated at the same time, should be part of that.”