NFU Scotland president Jim McLaren (right)  said: “I believe our cabinet Secretary, Richard Lochhead, has come up with a tremendous package that will introduce the regulation across our whole sheep sector in a constructive and positive manner while keeping disruption in the sheep trade to a minimum.  

“The decision by the Cabinet Secretary to fully meet the additional costs involved in buying electronic tags by delivering an additional £1m through Scotland’s current EID pilot scheme is a fantastic offer that will address much of the financial burden faced by all our sheep farmers.
  
“Farmers looking to acquire the required electronic tags but for a price equivalent to current plastic versions simply need to join the pilot.”

The funding will initially cover the first year of compulsory EID and McLaren said he would work hard to secure further support in the future.

The announcement was also welcomed by the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) after the Government agreed to allow marts and abattoirs to act as central point recording centres.

SAMW president Allan Craig (left) said: “As the critical control points, the abattoirs and markets are crucial to the success of the new system and the financial support to be provided to install readers there is most welcome.

“Apart from the obvious financial incentives, the new electronic system has the potential to unlock many other benefits which can enhance the whole supply chain.”                       (Right: pilot handheld readers)