DEFRA AWARD CONTRACT TO PILOT ELECTRONIC IDENTIFICATION AND ELECTRONIC DATA TRAN

Originally from: mona parr
                        
Defra has today awarded a contract to ADAS, to conduct a trial of electronic identification (EID) and electronic data transfer (EDT) within the English sheep industry. The trial will assess how easy the equipment is to use and will look at training and support requirements for use of EID and EDT on farms, and in abattoirs and markets. It will also identify potential benefits of EID/EDT for the sheep industry.

The trial will take place within three cluster areas, in the North East, South West and Midlands and will include a minimum of 50 lowland, upland and hill farms in total, selected to ensure a full range of environmental conditions, production systems and farmer attitudes to the technology. Around 70,000 sheep will be electronically identified using a range of eartags and boluses. In addition, use of EID and EDT will be examined and tested in a small number of markets and abattoirs at key stages during the sheep production cycle.

Practical work will commence on selected farms, which will be drawn from lists provided by industry representatives, between March and May 2004 and ADAS will train participants in the use of EID/EDT equipment (which will be provided) and supply advice and guidance throughout the course of the trial. ADAS will monitor and report back to Defra as the trial progresses and interim findings are expected by the end of September 2004. The study will conclude with the production of a final report in June 2005. Information on progress will be available on the Defra website throughout the trial.

The project has widespread support from the farming industry, particularly NSA, NFU, BMPA and LAA with whom Defra has worked in partnership during the setting up of the project.

Notes for editors

1 Notification of contract award was made on 30 January 2004, following publication of an OJEU notice on 4 July 2003. Press Release (ref no. tbc) issued on 4 July 2003 announced the commencement of the procurement for this contract. Information on the procurement process followed can be obtained from Paul Kiteley, Defra Procurement and Contracts Division (Tel: 020 7272 8775).

2 The EU Regulation for the identification of sheep and goats (21/04) makes EID for sheep compulsory on 1 January 2008. However, this is dependent on an EID implementation report issued by the Commission on 30 June 2006, and agreed by the Council. This trial will help inform Defra and the sheep industry of some of the practical issues surrounding use of EID prior to implementation of this legislation.

3. The objectives of the pilot are:-

To fully test EID and Electronic Tracing systems working within the GB Sheep industry (based in England, liaising with Scotland and Wales on their trials). The aim is to test the effectiveness of EID in a live working environment, not to test or compare individual EID products.
To promote EID and Electronic Tracing Systems, gain support and sell the concept to stakeholders.
To analyse take up issues on the use of Electronic Tracing. The results will help inform the take up strategy required for the programme and the EU policy decision making process.
To identify and help prove the benefits of EID and Electronic Tracing to stakeholders.4 In drawing up the proposals for the pilot trial, Defra has worked closely with the National Sheep Association, National Farmers Union, Livestock Auctioneers Association and British Meat Processors' Association and industry representatives will continue to be involved as the trial progresses.

5. In carrying out this project, Defra will be liaising closely with the Devolved Administrations and colleagues in Northern Ireland who are conducting other EID/EDT trials, to ensure that results from this work and from other UK studies help build a bigger picture on the potential future use of EID and EDT technologies within the UK farming industry.

6. A PN announcing the pilot electronic identification scheme for sheep was announced by Defra on July 4, 2003 (PN 261/03)

http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2004/040203d.htm