Welsh Govt. plans EID Sheep database
The Welsh Government is assembling an EID database for sheep in the hope that it will lead to a reduction in bureaucracy and inefficiency during the recording process after a rejection by the EU of calls for tolerance at Central Point Recording Centres (CPRC)
Mr Alun Davis, Deputy Minister for Agriculture has expressed his disappointment that protracted negotiations on implementing EU Regulation 21/2004 with particular emphasis on the provision of tolerance when read-rates are below 100% had failed.
“In response to a revised UK proposal, which sets out a potential way forward through a limited tolerance, the Commission has confirmed that cross compliance requirements are not subject to prior validation or approval,” said the Minister.
“My officials have considered the way in which this limited tolerance might be implemented in Wales, the risk of future audit criticism and the complicated set of additional rules that would be required.
“It is my intention to establish a Sheep EID Database for Wales to strengthen our management of this matter.
“To this end my officials are currently assessing the options and I expect to make an announcement at the end of February.
“The provision of this 21st century infrastructure will provide opportunities to remove much of the current bureaucracy and potentially provide a platform for the industry to consider more efficient and therefore profitable ways to produce lamb. It will also provide robust evidence on which to base future negotiations with the Commission.” he added.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
