ALYN Smith SNP MEP and long-time campaigner on sheep electronic identification (EID), has expressed bitter disappointment at the EU Parliament's decision to throw out the European Parliament's Agriculture and Rural Development Committee's amendment providing much needed relief for sheep farmers from the full effects of the law.

The amendment was submitted by Mr Smith and would have allowed the Scottish authorities to establish a derogation from the need to double tag sheep with an electronic tag and an individual ID number until the animal left the holding of birth, instead, a single manual tag with a holding ID number would have sufficed.

Mr Smith said: "I am determined to continue exploring avenues by which we can push this amendment. The council is the other half of the co-decision legislative process, and they have not finalised their position, so there may be scope to influence proceedings there."

The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (STFA) has welcomed NFU Scotland's recognition of the importance of establishing a new regulatory body to oversee operation of the tenanted sector.

Submitting evidence to the Agricultural Holdings Review Group, NFUS laid great emphasis on the importance of an independent lands adjudicator as part of a recipe to restore health and vibrancy to the tenancy sector.

The package of measures intended to rejuvenate the sector also include new legal standards, robust industry codes, improved tax incentives and low cost dispute resolution systems.

STFA chairman ­Christopher Nicholson said: "While STFA members will agree with many of NFUS' propositions, most will see this as tinkering around the edges of existing legislation rather than embarking on a much-needed root and branch overhaul of our let sector to reshape it for the next 50 years.

"It is ironic almost all the ideas for restoring health and vibrancy to the tenanted sector have previously been proposed and discussed in the Tenant Farming Forum over the last few years, but are only now being taken seriously with the advent of the Review Group.

It is now time that the industry recognises the frustration of tenant farmers and their desire for real change which will instil confidence to operate and grow farming businesses on equal terms with fellow owner-occupier farmers."

Addressing the issue of land reform Mr Nicholson said: "Tenancy and land reform are on the political agenda with the aim of achieving more diverse land ownership and there is also a growing need for landlords to reassess their land holdings and become open to approaches from tenants to buy their farms.

"There is no doubt that many tenant farming businesses would benefit and prosper if the tenant had the opportunity to purchase his farm."

Market round-up

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 300 prime hoggs in Newton Stewart yesterday to a top of £97 per head and 231.1p per kg to average 197.2p (-7.2p on the week). A small show of 50 cast sheep saw ewes sell to £100 for Texels and £77 for Blackfaces.

The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart had 25 prime cattle forward at their weekly sale in Dumfries yesterday when heifers sold to 238.5p per kg and averaged 216.3p, while bullocks peaked at 198.5p and levelled at 196.8p.

There were 43 cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 131.2p and dairy cows levelled at 103.2p.

The firm also sold 248 prime hoggs to a top of £102 and 257.1p to average 210.4p (-3.2p).

The 194 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £134.50 for Texels and average £90.18 (+£5.66), while light ewes peaked at £77.50 for Blackfaces and levelled at £61.65 (+£7.80).