DATE AGREED FOR ELECTRONIC IDENTIFICATION OF SHEEP AND GOATS.

THE EU Council of Ministers has agreed 31 December 2009 as the obligatory implementation date for the introduction of electronic identification (EID) of sheep and goats.

A system of individual animal recording and electronic identification (EID) for sheep and goats will now be required from 31 December 2009.

The Commission's report on the implementation of electronic identification of sheep and goats was published on 16 November 2007.

Commenting on the decision Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said: "I welcome the Council of Minister's decision to set a date for the introduction of EID for sheep and goats as it has been my intention to …