EU seeks animal ID for imports

Indications from one of NZ's key export markets could see sheep included in the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme sooner rather than later reports Rural News. George Lyon, a Member of European Parliament for Scotland, has called on the European Commission to make it compulsory for countries from outside the EU to meet the same traceability standards as EU member states before imports are allowed. Lyon says he wants the Commission to protect consumers and farmers from the threat of diseases, such as Foot and Mouth, by requiring non-EU states to enforce the same level of traceability as will be required across the EU when its electronic identification (EID) comes into effect early next year. "˜As of next year sheep farmers across Europe will be required to adhere to strict traceability rules. It is only fair that imports from other countries be required to meet the same standards. "˜The protection of our sheep farming industry must be paramount. I don't want all the hard work that has been done in stamping out diseases, such as Foot and Mouth, to go to waste because other producers can use their own rules while profiting from our market.' "˜The Commission must make it plain to countries who wish to export to the EU that high standards of traceability must be met.' NAIT chairman Ian Corney says whether NZ farmers like it or not, this sort of message is only going to get louder.