Alyn Smith MEP has expressed bitter disappointment at the European Parliament’s decision to throw out his committee amendment providing much-needed relief for sheep farmers from the full effects of the law.
The amendment was submitted by Alyn, Scottish full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee and long-time campaigner on sheep EID, in close consultation with the Shetland crofters. It was passed with an overwhelming majority in the committee, but was rejected by 265 votes to 360 in full plenary (the Paulsen Report on the Animal Health Law).
Alyn said: “I am frustrated and disappointed beyond words. After a very encouraging and resounding vote in committee, an unholy alliance of MEPs from the two biggest groups, the European People’s Party and the Socialists, have conspired to throw out this amendment without ever explaining or justifying themselves to me or in public.
“The “disease threat” excuse has always been a canard: the risk when animals are still on their holding of birth is minimal, and there would have been no changes in the rules for movements. I’m a firm believer that we can use the legislative process to fix obvious flaws in the rules, so it’s galling to see this opportunity slip by.
“I am determined to continue exploring avenues by which we can push this amendment. The Council is the other half of the co-decision legislative process, and they have not finalised their position, so there may be some scope to influence proceedings there.
“I would like to thank the Shetland crofters for their very valuable support in helping push this amendment as far as we could.”
