Sheep Electronic Identification (EID) database

The Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and European Programmes, has announced his intention to establish an electronic reporting system for sheep movements. He decided that, on behalf of the farming industry in Wales, the Welsh Government will invest in a Welsh electronic reporting system incorporating an individual database.

The Deputy Minster decided that Welsh interests will be best served by investing in our own database which through Government working with the industry. The database will deliver an efficient system of tracing sheep and provide opportunities to improve profitability.

Having taken this strategic decision, work will now begin to gather and finalise the specific requirements of the new system. The partnership approach which is consider so important and which was outlined in the response to Gareth Williams’ Working Smarter report. We urge the industry to engage and make demands of the new system to ensure that it delivers for the industry and for Wales.

Officials will look carefully at all the benefits that a Welsh system can provide. It will include reassessing whether the current EID slaughter derogation remains appropriate alongside a central sheep database.

Further details to be announced later in 2012.