Batch recording regulations relief.

A CONCESSION to the forthcoming electronic identification (EID) of sheep regulations has been secured for farmers moving their own animals to temporary or rented grazing.

They will not be forced to record the individual animal movements between different holdings, as long as the owner remains the same.

Defra has agreed that such movements can be batch recorded once EID is introduced from the start of next year, following concerns about the extra cost and regulatory burdens that recording the individual animals would have placed on farmers.

NFU livestock board chairman Alistair Mackintosh said: "We have been extremely concerned about this issue and the impact individual movement recording would have on members' businesses both financially and in terms of additional regulation.

"We have worked hard with Defra to find a workable and practical solution that limits the impact of this regulation on producers.

"This agreement that movements to temporary grazing or rented land within the same business, where day-to-day keepership of the animals does not change, can be batch recorded, will save time and money."

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WELCOME NEWS Batch recording will be a big saving for sheepmen.