Many thanks to all of those who visited our SAOS / ScotEID stand at the Highland Show. The big question asked was ‘When will cattle EID become compulsory?’ and almost always with a sense of frustration.
ScotGov acknowledge their significant investment made through the ScotEID pilot to test UHF EID technologies, and making ready to ensure that the technology is adequate and fit for purpose, so there is no doubt that ScotGov will continue to work towards the successful implementation of UHF EID.
Making UHF EID compulsory will, however, require new domestic legislation and the current thinking is that the forthcoming Agriculture Bill, expected by the Autumn of 2023, will be used for this purpose. Realistically, this means that official UHF EID will not be introduced before January 2025.
Meantime, we wish to thank all those farmers who already use UHF and our markets and abattoirs who have fitted reader systems and continue to perfect the technology.
Please do not over-order conventional tags and, if you can, consider switching to UHF on a voluntary basis since it improves cattle traceability by increasing the speed and accuracy of data reporting, plus offers potential management advantages through greater convenience and safety.