WIREDGOV

EIDCymru will be introduced in January 2015 and will provide the Welsh farming industry with a modern tracing system that will help them to better manage their flocks. The system will also provide accurate, timely data to help develop farmers’ business processes and profitability, in addition to enabling a quicker, more effective response to a disease outbreak.

Over the next 12 weeks, the farming industry will have the opportunity to advise on how the new system should operate. The Welsh Government will also continue to work closely with the Scottish Government, Hybu Cig Cymru, and other key partners to develop EIDCymru and guidance for the new system.

Alun Davies said:

“We are investing in EIDCymru to provide our farming industry with a modern and robust tracing system that can be used as an effective business tool to help farmers manage their flocks and increase their profitability.

“The traceability the system provides will help strengthen the Welsh lamb brand and open-up markets overseas by providing a cast-iron guarantee that the sheep were born and bread on Welsh pastures. This information is also absolutely vital for protection of our livestock against disease outbreaks.

“I encourage the farming industry to let us know views on our proposals to help us create a system that will modernise and strengthen Welsh agriculture.”

The introduction of this new electronic tracing system delivers another of Gareth Williams’s Working Smarter report recommendations that seek to strengthen the relationship between the farming industry and Government.

The consultation document also asks the farming industry for their view on tagging options for sheep going to slaughter. The full document is available on the Welsh Government website and interested parties have until 30 May 2014 to respond.

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Farming and countryside