Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies on whether electronic identification technology for animals will be used in England and Wales of requirements to use low frequency electronic identification technology for animals in Northern Ireland.

Defra officials and the devolved Governments are working to deliver robust traceability across the UK and to ensure we are in line with the UK Internal Markets Act (2020) and can trade with the EU and internationally.

On 2 June, Defra announced its decision to use Low Frequency electronic identification technology for cattle in England.

Under the Windsor Framework, should Northern Ireland introduce electronic ID for cattle, it will be required to use the same Low Frequency technology in line with EU requirements.

Wales are yet to decide on which technology to implement.