HC Deb 23 July 2004 vol 424 cc805-6W
Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the progress of the trials for the electronic tagging of animals. [185142]

Mr. Bradshaw

The Sheep EID/EDT Pilot Study is examining the practical application of electronic identification (EID) and electronic data transfer (EOT) in sheep. Commercial farms are taking part in the trial and we are examining both eartags and boluses and a range of EID equipment. We are also planning to include a small number of selected markets and abattoirs later in the trial.

Study findings will be published on the Defra website www.defra.gov.uk. An interim report is due in September 2004 and the final report in June 2005.