I am writing to express deep concern on behalf of livestock producers, auction marts, and rural communities in the Border regions regarding the decision by the Scottish and UK Governments to implement different Bovine Electronic Identification (EID) technologies – Ultra High Frequency (UHF) in Scotland and Low Frequency (LF) in England.

This divergence, while perhaps well-intentioned in isolation, threatens to impose significant operational, financial, and logistical burdens on the livestock industry in one of the UK’s most interconnected agricultural zones.

Operating seven livestock auction markets across the North of England and South of Scotland, H&H are at the sharp end of this potentially catastrophic divergence in policy.

Key Concerns:

1. Disruption to Cross-Border Trade
   The Border region is a hub of livestock movement, particularly for dairy and beef cattle. Differing EID systems will complicate traceability, increase compliance costs, and potentially create bottlenecks at auction marts and abattoirs that serve both nations.
2. Increased Costs and Red Tape
   Farmers and marts may be forced to invest in dual-reading infrastructure or adopt dual-tagging systems, both of which are costly and inefficient. This is especially burdensome for small and medium-sized enterprises already operating on tight margins.
3. Technological Incompatibility
   UHF and LF systems are not interoperable. Without a unified or at least compatible framework, the benefits of EID – such as operational efficiency, improved traceability, health monitoring, health & safety, animal welfare and streamlined movement reporting – will be undermined.
4. Lack of Consultation and Coordination
   Stakeholders in the Border regions feel that their unique circumstances have not been adequately considered. A collaborative, UK-wide approach is essential to ensure that policy decisions do not inadvertently penalise those operating across administrative boundaries.

A Call to Action:

We urge policymakers and industry leaders to:

• Establish a Joint Taskforce to explore a harmonised or interoperable EID solution that works across the UK.
• Provide Transitional Support for farmers and marts affected by the divergence, including funding for dual-system readers and tagging.
• Delay Implementation until a practical, cross-border solution is agreed upon.
• Engage Directly with Border Stakeholders to understand the real-world implications and co-design workable solutions.

The livestock industry in the Border regions is resilient, innovative, and vital to the rural economy. It deserves policies that reflect its realities and support its future.

We hope you will act swiftly to prevent unnecessary division and disruption in a sector that thrives on cooperation and connectivity.