§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with(a) the National Farmers Union and (b) others about the National Farmers Union's proposals for individual identification of sheep and goats; and if he will make a statement. [13952]
§ Mr. MorleyThe NFU has not put forward proposals for compulsory individual identification of sheep and goats.
My officials have had initial discussions with industry representatives, which included NFU, about the future identification requirements for sheep and goats. Individual identification was one of the options discussed and we are now considering the views expressed by industry before a final decision is taken.