When he next expects to meet members of the Scottish Executive to discuss the co-ordination of implementation of policy on sheep tagging.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to meet the Scottish Executive to discuss the electronic identification of sheep. However, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is in regular contact with his Scottish counterpart on this issue and, on 27 April, he met representatives of the Scottish sheep industry.

Is the Minister aware that a recent survey carried out by NFU Scotland revealed that 74 per cent. of farmers said they would reduce the size of their flocks if electronic tagging with individual registration came in? Is she aware that these EU proposals could do untold harm to Scottish agriculture? What is wrong with the existing system?

The Government recognise the concerns that the costs could well be disproportionate to the benefits. That is why we have been working closely with the devolved Administrations, including the Scottish Government, to seek a number of concessions. In fact, we met the Commission again on 4 May, when it appeared supportive of our new proposals about third party reporting; we very much hope that they will be passed. We recognise that there are additional costs, but this is a mandatory scheme and it must be implemented by the end of this year.

As a crofter, I wonder whether the Minister will do all she can to prevent this daft, unworkable and expensive scheme coming into being.

I hear what the hon. Gentleman has to say, but I again point out that the scheme is mandatory. The EU has stated that it is not prepared to review the scheme until implementation. However, we are working very closely with the Scottish Government and the other devolved Administrations to try, as far as possible, to reduce the impact on sheep farmers. We have already achieved a number of important concessions and we continue to work closely with the Commission to achieve more.