Recently released Scottish Government figures show that only a third of cattle inspections passed in 2017. This is compared to two-thirds of sheep inspections passing without a breach.

Missing cattle tags caused the highest number of breaches on farms. Out of 619 cattle inspections that took place in 2017, 353 farms had cattle missing a tag, but still identifiable. Incorrect breed and sex on the animal’s passport were found on 83 cattle farms. In all, 75 breaches were recorded for late move notifications to the cattle traceability system, while incorrect dates of birth were discovered on 13 farms. Another 57 inspections found cattle on farm that were not registered in the herd book.

The biggest failing in sheep inspections were missing tags and farmers not correctly updating flock registers. These breaches were found on 27% of farms inspected. Out of 887 inspections that took place on sheep farms, 244 farmers had not replaced missing tags and/or recorded the change in their flock book.

The second most common breach was where home-bred sheep were on the farm but not in the records, which happened on 14% of farms. In all, 18 farmers failed to provide sheep records when asked at inspection.

“A lot of these rules are not helping food security or traceability,” according to John Fyall, chair of NSA Scotland.

“After we are out of Europe we can have a bonfire of regulations to get a more sensible approach. We need to have an acid test on the rules: does it help protect the consumer or sell more product? If it doesn’t help either then we have no need for it.

“At the end of the day, what is traceability if not to help the consumer? So if it doesn’t help them, then what is the point?”

The information came as part of a freedom on information request to the Scottish Government.