7th July Press Release
PRESS RELEASE
EID – WELFARE CONCERNS INVESTIGATED BY NSA
The National Sheep Association has concerns over reports of ear damage caused by tagging lambs at a young age.
NSA has received complaints farmers about ear damage and stress caused to young lambs by tagging at a young age. NSA Chairman of Council Jonathan Barber said “This is of major concern to producers; legislation should not under any circumstances be allowed to compromise welfare. NSA will continue to lobby on a UK basis and at EU level for a review of the entire issue and changes to the regulation.”
NSA reminds all producers that the age at which animals have to be tagged has not changed - where animals remain on the Holding of Birth they don’t have to be tagged for 9 months. Ensure that the type of tags you order are the right choice for the type/breed, age of the animal being identified, and that they are applied correctly.
If farmers experience any welfare or performance problems with tags they should fill in the ETAS feedback form and return it to BCMS. It is vital that accurate information is collected and looked at by industry and government this year so that any problems can be properly investigated and details fed back to the commission in Brussels.
The feedback form is available on the following websites:-
http://www.nationalsheep.org.uk/