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Lyon accuses EU Commission of double standards over EID
December 1, 2009 4:29 PM
George Lyon, Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland, has accused the European Commission of double standards after it ruled out making EU levels of traceability compulsory for imports from third countries.
Mr Lyon, Liberal Democrat European Spokesman on Agriculture, has previously called on the Commission to compel non-EU states to enforce the same level of traceability as will be required across the EU when EID comes into effect early next year.
However, in answer to a Parliamentary question, the EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou ruled this out.
Commenting, Mr Lyon said:
"In this answer, the Commission is guilty of double standards.
"The Commission claims that EID is necessary to protect farmers and consumers from the threat of diseases like foot and mouth but then does not expect the same standards to be met by third countries that export to the EU.
"This is not a credible argument to me, to farmers or the wider industry.
"The Scottish Government must now put Scottish farmers on a level playing field with other farmers across Europe whose Governments have committed to funding the introduction of EID.
"Scottish farmers should not have to operate at a financial disadvantage to European competitors."
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