From 1 January 2021 the UK will have left the EU, and depending on the outcome of current negotiations, the UK will likely be trading on third country terms. This means new rules for live animals entering the EU will apply.

From 1 January 2021 the two-letter ISO country code of ‘GB’ will have to be used to identify livestock exported to EU Member States. This will mean an additional tag which includes the country code GB and the animal’s individual ID number will need to be applied prior to export.

As an alternative for newborn animals that are not yet identified or lambs with slaughter tags, UK tags with a GB suffix could be applied. These are tags which bear UK plus the individual number as well as GB printed on them.

Further details of the tags can be found here.

Despite a number of discussions on the introduction of bovine electronic identification (EID) earlier this year, Welsh Government has recently confirmed that it is going to be introduced later than anticipated with bovine EID tags not being available on the market until at least 2022.

The FUW continues to participate in discussions on the proposals on identification, registration and movement reporting prior to the Welsh Government consultation, expected in Summer 2021.

Welsh Government recommends that cattle keepers only order enough conventional tags to cover calves expected to be born in 2021.

Further updates will be announced towards the end of 2021 in regard to the timing and definite timescales which are subject to the consultation responses.

The British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) has announced that cattle passport amendments can now be posted once again.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, BCSM requested for cattle keepers to send passport amendments via email to reduce the need to travel.

If possible and restrictions allow, BCMS are now asking for keepers to return to the original posting process:
Write on the passport what information needs to be amended

• If the amendment is to the date of birth, or requires 3 or more amendments, please also send a copy of your calving records
• Post the original passport to:
  British Cattle Movement Service, Curwen Road, Workington, CA14 2DD
• It is also advised to ask for proof of postage

Dyfed-Powys Police is advising the farming community to be extremely wary of any suspicious calls, texts or emails as a scam specifically targeting the agricultural sector has been identified.

Information about the Single Farm Payments is publically available, meaning criminals are able to directly target victims making their approaches appear more convincing.

The scam communications will typically claim that fraud has been detected on the farmer’s bank account and that urgent action is required to safeguard funds.

The victim is then persuaded to divulge personal or financial information, or even to transfer money directly into a so-called ‘safe account’.

With some grants worth thousands of pounds, in past years fraudsters have stolen significant amounts of money from their victims.

The farming community is an attractive target at this time of year for fraud and the consequences of falling into the trap could be financially severe but also cause untold stress and anxiety. The FUW is therefore urging farmers to follow the advice below and to remain vigilant and to contact Action Fraud immediately on 0300 123 2040 if you’ve been a victim of fraud.

Be wary of: