SCOTTISH farmers using 'brisket tags' on their cattle are doing so illegally and face penalties if such tags are found during official inspections.

But a request from NFU Scotland for the Scottish Government to grant a moratorium for those farmers who have already inserted these management tags – to avoid the welfare issues arising from having to remove them – has fallen on deaf ears.

A Scottish Government spokesperson told The Scottish Farmer: "Brisket/dewlap tags are understood to have been supplied by a single UK supplier and have been advertised for sale in a number of agricultural publications – however using brisket/dewlap tags is an illegal form of animal identification.

“Animal welfare legislation lists a number of permitted practices, e.g. ear tagging, nose ringing, castration, the removal of supernumerary teats, but inserting tags in sensitive tissue, other than the ear, isn’t included.

“Previous requests by industry representatives for brisket/dewlap tags to be added to the permitted practices list have been rejected by the Scottish Government’s APHA division. Farmers using brisket tags would be penalised under cross compliance,” she warned.

NFUS animal welfare policy manager Penny Middleton said: “Since it came to light that there are a number of keepers in Scotland who are using brisket tags as management tags for their cattle, we have been pursuing this issue with ScotGov.

“There is an urgent need to raise awareness amongst cattle keepers that they should not be tagging animals through the brisket, but NFUS is also aware that officials have some concerns regarding the possible damage that could be caused by efforts to remove tags already inserted."

The Scottish Government did indeed confirm that, despite that threat of penalties, the Animal and Plant Health Agency was recommending against removing any tags that have already been inserted to minimise additional pain and distress to the cattle.

Ms Middleton confirmed that NFUS had requested a moratorium for those who have already applied tags, but that had been turned down: “Scottish Government’s decision, unfortunately, leaves those farmers who have used brisket tags in limbo and at risk of penalty.

“Without an amnesty, farmers may choose to remove these tags, and that must be done with care – possibly with veterinary assistance,” she suggested.

One north of Scotland farmer who has used brisket tags for a number of years and asked not to be named said: “We have had inspections in the past and the department people thought they were very good. They are the only tags that stay in, but we have now stopped using them.”

Scottish Beef Association chairman Neil McCorkindale said: “It is clear that the Scottish Government and APHA need to come out with a joint statement to clarify exactly where we are with this issue.

“The SBA understanding is that those tags are not illegal under EU law and therefore not breaching compliance, and an internal document sent to local department offices would appear to confirm this," said Mr McCorkindale. “However, it appears APHA have a different view and we would urge all farmers who are using those tags to contact their local animal health division as a matter of urgency. If the tags are illegal, why are they still available?"

Former NFUS president, Nigel Miller, who is also a Borders vet, commented: “There has been no clear guidance over the use of those tags and farmers have been left in an impossible place.

“Although there are no exact figures of their use, it is estimated that hundreds of farms could be using those tags, and if now deemed illegal there has to be an amnesty for anyone using them.”