THE European Parliament voted yesterday against the compulsory introduction of cattle electronic identification (EID).
Instead, it will allow farmers, on a voluntary basis, to use a harmonised system of EID. This will suit those cattle farmers who already use EID for management purposes, but it does not force those who do not currently use the technology to do so.
Member states will have the option to make the system compulsory, but only after consultation with the beef industry. Attempts to make the system compulsory after 10 years across the EU were defeated, but many UK farmers will be disappointed to learn that MEPs have asked the Commission to review the voluntary option after five years.
Welcoming the outcome of the vote, Alyn Smith, MEP, said: "Its good to see that the Commission have learnt some of the lessons of EID for sheep and goats.
"We agreed that introducing a pan-EU mandatory system immediately was likely to be costly, lead to technological difficulties, and contribute little added value to disease control.
"It's important that the same mistakes are not made with EID for cattle as we made with EID for sheep and goats.
"Under this proposal, EID will be a bottom-up, farmer driven process, with take-up fundamentally shaped by whether farmers find it a useful technology to ensure traceability and add financial value to their herds."
Lawrie & Symington sold nine prime heifers in Lanark on Monday to a top of 241p per kg and an average of 218.8p (-4.8p on the week), while 13 prime, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 234p and levelled at 207.4p (+6.2p).
Five prime, B&W bullocks averaged 160p (+1.5p).
In the rough ring, 36 beef cows averaged 143p, while 55 dairy cows levelled at 115p. Sixteen OTM cattle averaged 132p and 2 bulls levelled at131p.
There were also 3119 prime lambs that sold to £97.24 per head and 226.1p per kg to average 174.6p (-6.4p).
The 1397 cast sheep forward saw ewes sell to £117.50 for Texels and £68.50 for Blackfaces with the overall average levelling at £54.02 (-£6.60).
The firm also sold 19 dairy cattle to a top of £2000 for a Holstein heifer and an average of £1403 (-£153 on the previous sale).
Craig Wilson sold 2730 prime lambs at Ayr on Monday to a top of £91 and 207.1p to average 172.6p ( down 6.4p on the week, but up 14.7p on the corresponding sale last year).
A bigger sale of 1003 cast sheep met an easier trade. There were over 600 Blackface ewes on offer that averaged £40.01, while Mule ewes levelled at £58.88.
Wallets Marts sold 1976 prime lambs in Castle Douglas yesterday to a top of £85 and 191.8p to average 165p (-13p), while 529 cast sheep levelled at £49.76.
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