MEPs vote down compulsory cattle-tagging

The compulsory electronic tagging of cattle has been voted down by MEPs in Strasbourg.

Instead, bovine tagging will remain a voluntary decision by farmers.

The European Commission had wanted bovine electronic tagging to be mandatory across the EU.

Many farmers opposed it because of the cost involved and potential injuries to the animals.

Fianna Fáil MEP Liam Aylward welcomed today's vote.