§ Lord Stanley of Alderleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether under the beef special premium scheme it will be necessary, in future, to have a tag carrying up to 12 digits in the bullock's ear and, if so, how they will ensure that such tags can be easily read without causing distress to the animal or farmer, or whether it will be up to the farmer to purchase any type of tag he wishes.
The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Howe)Regardless of the beef special premium scheme, cattle have to be identified under animal health legislation. Under EC rules on the identification of cattle for health purposes, all cattle tagged from the end of this year will have to bear an approved ear-tag carrying up to 14 digits. Ear-tags are in fact already required in most cases in this country. Discussions are continuing with the industry on implementing this EC legislation, including on how to ensure that ear-tags can be easily read.