FUW responds to Welsh Government announcement on Bovine EID in Wales
The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement confirming plans to introduce Bovine Electronic Identification (EID) for newborn calves in Wales using Low Frequency (LF) technology.
The announcement follows the publication of a summary of responses to the Welsh Government’s public consultation on Bovine EID, which ran from 19 June to 14 August 2025 and received 30 responses from industry stakeholders, farming unions, and other interested parties.
The Welsh Government confirmed it will move forward with the implementation of Bovine EID for newborn calves using Low Frequency technology. Implementation in Wales is not expected before 2027.
The Welsh Government also emphasised its intention to continue working closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to ensure, where possible, that implementation plans in Wales are aligned with those in England. Further details, including technical specifications for official Bovine EID ear tags, and practical guidance for cattle keepers, will be made available in due course.
The Welsh Government written statement is available in full here.
Responding to the announcement, FUW Policy Officer Elin Jenkins said:
“The FUW supports the decision to adopt Low Frequency technology for Bovine EID. This technology is already in use within sheep EID systems and is therefore familiar to farmers, avoiding the need for additional reading equipment. However, members recognise the potential challenges posed by differing EID technologies across the GB administrations and we remain eager to collaborate in identifying and overcoming these practical issues.
The FUW also welcomes the phased introduction of Bovine EID for newborn calves only and calls upon the Welsh Government to provide financial support to assist with the transition to this new technology.”
The FUW remains committed to working constructively with the Welsh Government, Defra, and other industry stakeholders to ensure that the introduction of Bovine EID in Wales is practical, proportionate, and delivers tangible benefits for the cattle industry.
