Welsh Lib Dems stand alone in fight for Welsh farmers

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 29th Sep 2009

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, ChristopherPlaid Cymru  For

Ryder, Janet Plaid Cymru  For

Wood, Leanne Plaid Cymru  For

Thomas, Rhodri GlynPlaid Cymru  For

Evans, Nerys Plaid Cymru  For

Lloyd, Dai Plaid Cymru  For

Asghar, MohammedPlaid 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 RT 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.