The Farmers' Union of Wales has demanded an explanation from Defra minister Jim Paice after the European Commission implied farmers' problems with sheep electronic identification (EID) are caused by the UK allowing sub-standard ear tags.
Responding to letters from the union to the EC's directorate general for health and consumers and the directorate general for agriculture and rural development, the Commission suggested that "a significant part of the problem encountered (with EID) may result from the use of bad quality ear-tags......"
It also stated that "the Commission services have repeatedly encouraged the UK competent authorities to ensure that only high quality electronic ear-tags are approved for the tagging of sheep".
Speaking at Anglesey County Show today, FUW president Emyr Jones, a Bala beef and sheep farmer, said: "Given that the EC is responsible for laying down the rules with regard to EID, they seem to be implying that tags in the UK fall below the standards set by themselves.
"We have, therefore, asked the UK Minister for assurances that this is not the case. If this is not what the Commission is implying, then it is an effective admission that the standards set by Europe are not capable of being delivered in terms of the Regulation.
"Either way, we are being forced to use a costly technology which is not fit for purpose."
Mr Jones added that any enhancement of the minimum EU tag standards by the UK authorities might be open to legal challenges, given that Europe has set a pan-European standard which should have minimised any problems with the technology.
"There may also be a problem in terms of any enhanced standard leading to the compulsory tagging of animals with small ears with larger tags than is practical or humane, leading to a massive welfare issue," he added.
Mr Jones's letter to Mr Paice states: "The FUW has long objected to the compulsory electronic identification and recording of sheep and this position was based upon evidence gathered during numerous trials which identified major shortcomings with EID technology.
"The experience of our members since EID was made compulsory has confirmed that these concerns were well founded.
"Nevertheless, the Union recognises that those Member States, such as the UK, which now object to EID represent a minority within the EU, and that efforts must therefore be made to ensure that the impact of the current Regulations are minimised, particularly in terms of penalties which may be incurred as a result of circumstances which are beyond the reasonable control of farmers.
"Given the above concerns, I would be grateful for your assurances that any allegations by the European Commission that UK sheep tags do not meet the standards set by themselves are incorrect, and that systems are in place in order to deal appropriately with any cases where tags are believed to be sub-standard."