Tagging may force sheep farmers out of business

4.19.41pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 15th Oct 2008

Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the EU George Lyon has urged MEPs to back the Scottish farming delegation who are arguing that European Commission proposals for every sheep to be electronically tagged are unworkable in Scotland, given the way in which the industry is structured.

A Scottish-led delegation, including the NFUS’s Vice President, told MEPs in Brussels that given the extensive nature of sheep farming in Scotland, the proposal was unaffordable and impractical.

Commenting, Mr Lyon said:

“Compulsory electronic tagging will be a slap in the face to sheep farmers already struggling to cope with rising feed, fuel and fertiliser costs.

“These EU proposals may well accelerate the exodus from the hill and upland areas in Scotland.”