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

Letters: "The 51AVÊÓÆµWelfare Bill is needed to put the UK's farmers in a financial position to continue putting food on your table"

Letters: "The 51AVÊÓÆµWelfare Bill is needed to put the UK's farmers in a financial position to continue putting food on your table"

This week from Farmers Guardian readers: William Taylor, Farmers For Action co-ordinator, discusses the decision to pause a UK-wide farm protest and the push for a 51AVÊÓÆµWelfare Bill

William Taylor
clock 05 May 2026 • 2 min read
"Together we are stronger" - UFU elects new presidential team

"Together we are stronger" - UFU elects new presidential team

Chris Brayford
clock 03 May 2026 • 3 min read
It is crazy English farm payments do not actively support farmers to produce food, says Lib Dem leader

It is crazy English farm payments do not actively support farmers to produce food, says Lib Dem leader

Sir Ed Davey has called for the Government to back British farmers hammered by spiking costs

Alex Black
clock 01 May 2026 • 2 min read