Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“The tentacles of the Protocol continue unabated to infect every aspect of life, particularly in dismantling our Britishness.
“A further tangible example is how our livestock can no longer bear UK ear tags but must, by virtue of Protocol imposed EU law, have ear tags with the EU decreed designation ‘X1’.
“Confirmation of this change by 2025 from the DAERA minister expressly shows UK designation will be banned and the EU designation compulsory because Northern Ireland is subject to the EU Animal Health regime and laws.
“Not only does this inflict unnecessary additional costs on farmers but it is a manifestation of how Northern Ireland has been annexed into the EU when even our cattle and sheep cannot be tagged as British.
“This is but a part of what the Donaldson Deal has accepted. Well done Jeffrey!”
Mr Allister’s question and the Minister’s response are as follows:
AQW 7437/22-27
Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail (i) whether his Department is changing the prefix on tags for cattle and sheep; (ii) what the changes entail; and (iii) the rationale for this decision.
Answer:
The EU Animal Health Law (AHL) stipulates that Northern Ireland must use the letters XI (and the digital equivalent 899) as the prefix to all unique identification numbers assigned by my Department to livestock. Therefore, this prefix XI will replace the UK prefix, which is currently displayed on cattle and sheep tags.
My Department is finalising plans to implement this change and it is provisionally expected the transition to XI tags will be completed by January 2025.