51AVÊÓÆµ

Scotland's chance to lead on electronic tagging in cattle, says NFUS

Calls for the cattle sector to adopt electric tagging has been two decades in the making in Scotland

Rachael Brown
clock • 1 min read
Scotland's chance to lead on electronic tagging in cattle, says NFUS

NFU Scotland (NFUS) said the industry has a ‘chance to lead' the way when it comes to embracing the benefits of electronic identification in cattle.

ScotEID has been actively researching bovine EID drawing upon ongoing experiences of implementing sheep EID in the country.

Electronic tagging

EID uses radio frequency Identification technology whereby the identity of animals is encoded onto a microchip attached via a device such as an ear tag

Calls for the sector to adopt electric tagging has been ‘two decades' in the making and NFU Scotland said their members are ‘hugely frustrated'.

NFUS vice president Andrew Connon said:

"While subject to further consultation, we believe the Scottish Government should now mandate the use of Ultra high frequency ( UHF) EID in the Scottish herd at the earliest opportunity.Ìý Based on the report, UHF tagging is practical, adaptable and user friendly and to not go down this route would be a step backwards at a time when the industry has a chance to lead."

Read also:ÌýUK Government must bolster efforts to unlock seed potato trade, says union

Take action to keep Scotland bTB free

Scotland's largest vegetable growers sign merger deal

More on Politics

UK well prepared for another foot-and-mouth outbreak, Gov says

UK well prepared for another foot-and-mouth outbreak, Gov says

Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said robust contingency plans are in place to respond to another foot-and-mouth outbreak in the UK. But do farmers agree with that assessment?

Chris Brayford
clock 12 March 2026 • 5 min read
From the editor: Staying vigilant in the battle against disease

From the editor: Staying vigilant in the battle against disease

This week from Farmers Guardian editor Katie Jones

Katie Jones
clock 12 March 2026 • 2 min read
Iran war: Input raw material costs up at similar rate to early part of Ukraine conflict

Iran war: Input raw material costs up at similar rate to early part of Ukraine conflict

The widening conflict in the Gulf region continues to push up the prices of key input prices, with more limited increases in commodity values

Cedric Porter
clock 12 March 2026 • 5 min read