EIDCymru, the new electronic sheep movement reporting system for Wales goes live on Monday, January 18.

This is a significant date for livestock markets, abattoirs and collection centres as electronic reporting of sheep movements becomes a compulsory requirement from Monday onwards.

Electronic reporting is not a requirement for sheep farmers. Many will find, however, that EIDCymru offers a practical and efficient way to report sheep movements and so are encouraged to report their flock movements electronically.

“EIDCymru will provide the opportunity for keepers in Wales to use the increased level of traceability to develop their business processes,” said John Richards, Technical Implementation Lead at EIDCymru. “It will also provide a modern and robust traceability system to enable a quick and effective response in any disease outbreak.

“The new website – eidcymru.org - is another milestone in the development of an effective electronic identification system for farmers across Wales. From Monday, farmers can log on to the EIDCymru site and upload their sheep movements electronically.”

There is only one new requirement for sheep farmers at this stage. The paper movement licence (AML1 forms) that have historically been sent to local Trading Standards offices should now be sent to the EIDCymru office in Aberystwyth.

“A helpdesk has been set-up to assist farmers who want to use EIDCymru. They will provide help and advice relating to the EIDCymru system and the submission of electronic and paper-based information,” said John Richards.

Farmers wanting assistance should contact the EIDCymru helpdesk on 01970 636959 or email contact@eidcymru.org. The office address is: EIDCymru, T? Merlin, Parc Merlin, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3FF.

Farmers who need further assistance on the new tagging rules for sheep should contact the Livestock ID helpline on 01267 245022 or the Farm Liaison Service.