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16/11/2004
MEP warned over nightmare of EC double-tagging plans
Western Mail article

FARMERS' Union of Wales leaders are warning Welsh MEP Jonathan Evans that EC plans to introduce double-tagging of all sheep next year will be a bureaucratic nightmare for sheep farmers.

A year ago Defra claimed it had secured a "good deal for producers" from the EC, after negotiating what it described as "considerable concessions" for British farmers on the issue of identification and registration of sheep and goats.

But Mr Evans has been told some 10 million sheep in Wales may still have to be double-tagged from 2005, despite Defra's claims.

It has been estimated that setting up electronic identification and double-tagging in the UK would cost more than £42m, with an annual running cost of £44m.

Since Wales accounts for 28 per cent of all UK sheep production, the introduction of such a system would create enormous expense for the country's sheep farmers.

Gareth Vaughan, FUW president, discussed the issue with Jonathan Evans on the farm of the union's newly-appointed Denbighshire county chairman Glyn Roberts at Bont Garreg, Llansannan, on Friday.

He stressed the union had consistently argued against the proposals, describing them as a bureaucratic nightmare.

Mr Vaughan said:"We fear that despite Defra's optimism, the double-tagging of all sheep could still be a reality from July of next year."

"The FUW is supporting efforts to achieve a derogation from these regulations by proving the current tagging situation is working. We will continue to monitor the situation very closely and fight to ensure Welsh farmers do not lose out as a result of these proposals."

Glyn Roberts has 350 Welsh Mountain ewes and 200 Mule sheep on his farm, which he runs with his son, Elgan, 24, who has to take on part-time agricultural contracting work to make ends meet.

Mr Roberts has been in farming all his life. He is the third generation of his family to enter the industry and has a 107-acre mixed farm with 80 acres rented, along with grazing rights on the Hiraethog Moors rising to 800ft above sea level. The 100 head of cattle includes a 40-cow dairy herd.

But the latest milk prices received by Mr Roberts in August and September were the worst he had ever received – 18p per litre compared to 47p being charged at his local supermarket.

He said, "We did not receive a single penny extra for the usual seasonal adjustment for August, when supplies are traditionally lower.

"There has always been a gradual increase in price from August, but the little extra we had in September was what we should have had for August.

"There is not a lot more we can do to reduce our production costs but, in the meantime, the supermarkets are charging the housewife nearly three times more for milk than the farmer receives.

"We want to get the message across to Mr Evans that the farmer is losing out as the big supermarkets continue to make massive profits."

Mr Roberts has been involved with the FUW for many years and is also very active in the community with a number of activities and is a member of his local choir, Cor Meibion Bro Aled.

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