Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats

Welsh Lib Dems stand alone in fight for Welsh farmers

The Welsh Liberal Democrats were today the only group in the Welsh Assembly to vote against the introduction of compulsory Electronic Identification. Labour, Plaid and the majority of the Tory's failed to follow words with action to protect the farming community, by waving through the expensive new system.

Kirsty Williams said:

"Our struggling Welsh farming industry can ill afford the introduction of this highly costly programme, which will bring no additional benefits to the current system for identifying and tracing sheep.

"With the scheme costing £9.30 per ewe in the first year, our farmers cannot afford this financial burden at a time of decreasing incomes.

"I am greatly saddened that the farming industry has been let down by not only the Welsh Government but also the Tory's and that it has only been the Welsh Liberal Democrats who have been strong enough to stand tall and vote against the introduction of compulsory EID in Wales."

Mick Bates AM for Montgomeryshire said: "The Tories uttered many warm words in the chamber today but when it came down to voting on this issue the majority failed to put their money where their mouths are. By supporting the Minister Elin Jones' decision to introduce this unnecessary regulation into Wales before the technology is even accurate enough, they have failed to stand up for our farmers in Wales. I only hope it is not a sign of the Tories weakening their stance against unnecessary regulatory burdens on the Welsh farming industry."

Notes

Voting record forNDM4280 Debate on Sheep Electronic Identification

(Tue Sep 29, +0100 2009 - 16:19:22)

Name Political Party Vote

Davidson, Jane Labour Did not vote

Sargeant, Carl Labour For

Jones, Carwyn Labour For

Hart, Edwina Labour For

Morgan, Rhodri Labour For

Hutt, Jane Labour For

Davies, Andrew Labour For

Gibbons, Brian Labour For

Jones, Helen Mary Plaid Cymru Did not vote

Jones, Gareth Plaid Cymru For

Jones, Alun Ffred Plaid Cymru For

Jones, Elin Plaid Cymru For

Wyn Jones, Ieuan Plaid Cymru For

Davies, Jocelyn Plaid Cymru For

Jones, Ann Labour For

Gregory, Janice Labour Did not vote

Lloyd, Val Labour For

Mewies, Sandy Labour For

Andrews, Leighton Labour For

Thomas, Gwenda Labour For

Griffiths, John Labour For

Randerson, Jenny Liberal Democrat Did not vote

German, Mike Liberal Democrat Did not vote

Williams, Kirsty Liberal Democrat Against

Melding, David Conservative Did not vote

Cairns, Alun Conservative For

Bourne, Nicholas Conservative Did not vote

Morgan, Jonathan Conservative For

Law, Trish Independent For

Franks, Christopher Plaid Cymru For

Ryder, Janet Plaid Cymru For

Wood, Leanne Plaid Cymru For

Thomas, Rhodri Glyn Plaid Cymru For

Evans, Nerys Plaid Cymru For

Lloyd, Dai Plaid Cymru For

Asghar, Mohammed Plaid Cymru For

Jenkins, Bethan Plaid Cymru For

Cuthbert, Jeff Labour For

Lewis, Huw Labour For

Chapman, Christine Labour For

Neagle, Lynne Labour Did not vote

Griffiths, Lesley Labour For

Davies, Alun Labour For

Barrett, Lorraine Labour For

James, Irene Labour For

Watson, Joyce Labour For

Sinclair, Karen Labour Did not vote

Black, Peter Liberal Democrat Against

Burnham, Eleanor Liberal Democrat Against

Bates, Mick Liberal Democrat Against

Williams, Brynle Conservative For

Millar, Darren Conservative For

Davies, Paul Conservative Against

Burns, Angela Conservative For

Ramsay, Nick Conservative For

Davies, Andrew R T Conservative Against

Isherwood, Mark Conservative For

For: 42

Abstain: 0

Against: 6

Total: 48

The Welsh Government debate reads as follows:

Item 4: Debate on Sheep Electronic Identification (60 mins)

NDM4280 Carwyn Jones (Bridgend)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the Minister for Rural Affairs decision to implement the sheep EID and individual recording requirements of Council Regulation 21/2004 which establishes a European wide system for identification and registration of sheep and goats;

2. Welcomes the 3rd party reporting concessions, secured on 14 July 2009 which enables organisations such as markets and abattoirs to read the individual identities and pass the information back to keepers who have bred them; and

3. Notes the efforts of the Welsh Assembly Government and the agricultural sector to ensure the Regulations are applied with minimum disruption to the industry.

Amendment 1 - Alun Cairns (South Wales West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Regrets that sheep EID will deliver no traceability benefits over and above the current system, and will come at disproportionate cost.

Amendment 2 - Peter Black (South Wales West):

Add as new point at end of motion:

Regrets that the Minister has rejected the Rural Development Sub Committee's recommendation 'that full implementation of EID does not occur until such time as the equipment is as close to 100% accurate as technically possible and has the confidence of the industry'.

Ends.