NFU seeks legal advice on EID

THE NATIONAL Farmers Union of Scotland is to seek legal opinion on implementing European rules on the electronic tagging of sheep and recording their movements.
 
EID is seen as impossible to not implement in Scotland where sheep are farmed on isolated and often island-based rough grazing.

The union’s chief executive Scott Walker said: “We have instructed our solicitors to consider if we can challenge the rules and any financial penalties that may be imposed.”

The NFU’s action follows parliamentary questions raised by Shetland MSP Tavish Scott who has challenged the legality of the EID penalties when electronic equipment is unable to account for every sheep.