Dudley MP Ian Austin met staff at the Brockwood animal sanctuary in Sedgley last Friday to discuss their concerns over new animal tagging regulations.

The sanctuary wrote to Austin in July to raise their concerns that the compulsory tagging of sheep brought about by new legislation is injuring and causing distress to a number of animals at their centre.

Staff suggested that the discomfort caused to the animals could be reduced by using alternative means of tagging such as collars or injectables and Austin has raised the issue with the Government minister responsible.

Last Friday he vistited Brockwood to discuss the issue with the sanctuary's team.

Ian Austin MP said:

"Brockwood is a fantastic facility, with extremely dedicated and professional staff. I wanted to hear first-hand from them about the problems this regulation is causing and get their take on what we can do to minimise the suffering of the animals.

"I have already written to Jim Paice MP, Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Unfortunately he said that it would be difficult to change tagging requirements for animal sanctuaries on disease control grounds.

"The minister suggested leg tagging - a less invasive alternative - could be used. However it seems no animal ID manufacturer is currently producing these.

"I will work with the team at Brockwood and continue pressing DEFRA to prioritise the developments of alternative methods of tagging which cause less distress to the animals."