Scottish Government failing farmers over EID - Scott

3.47.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 22nd May 2009

Tavish Scott MSP, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, has urged the Scottish Government to do more to protect Scottish farmers from European Union plans to introduce compulsory electronic tagging (EID) for sheep.

While campaigning with top Liberal Democrat Euro candidate George Lyon at Curling farm near Selkirk, Mr Scott revealed that a meeting of the Council of Ministers next week will have no Scottish Government representative present.Tavish Scott MSP: Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats

Commenting, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott said:

“The EU’s sheep tagging plans are unnecessary, unworkable and will push

farmers and crofters out of sheep production.

“The EU’s Agriculture and Fisheries Council is meeting on Monday, but

they’re not discussing sheep tagging. Scotland’s Agriculture Minister

needs to explain why not.

“The Scottish Government is not represented at this meeting. Given the

potentially devastating impact that compulsory tagging would have on sheep farming, a key industry for Scotland, this is unacceptable.

“Scottish Ministers should be at this meeting standing up for sheep farmers.”

Mr. Lyon, former President of the NFU, added:

"The cost and complexity of implementing EID could have a devastating

impact on Scottish farming. Everything possible must be done to overturn the decision to force sheep tagging on hill farmers and crofters across Scotland.

"Liberal Democrats will continue to make this case to the European Union, something the SNP have been so far reluctant to do."