Regular readers will know that Plaid Cymru has been fighting hard to persuade the European Union to ditch plans for compulsory tagging and instead try out a voluntary scheme.

The farming community is well aware of the dire problems involved with electronic tagging - it will be a logistical and financial nightmare. That much we've made quite clear. As yet we’ve not succeeded in stopping it but we have won some flexibility.

I was pleased that all four MEPs from Wales signed a joint letter to European Commissioner Vassiliou opposing compulsory EID, and making clear the severe difficulties involved with the scheme that Welsh farm trials have revealed.

Last week, the Agriculture Committee approved an amendment to the EU budget to set up an EID relief fund of €125,000,000. This would be used to help farmers cope with set-up and implementation costs but it is unlikely to get support from the full parliament to take the plans forward.

The truth is that this has been an uphill battle from the start. It was agreed by European government ministers, including London Labour, back in 2003 – long before the One Wales government. Wales’s needs were not taken into account.

This campaign shows very clearly why we need to be a full member state, arguing our case directly and not letting London ministers speak for us. Sheep farming is not a priority for London.

But it remains a priority campaign for us in Wales and I will keep fighting against EID being imposed next January.

One thing is certain: it’s more important than ever that whoever Gordon Brown puts forward in the next few weeks as the new UK Commissioner must appear before the Assembly to explain how Wales will be represented.

The approval of the Assembly must be a condition of appointment or we will be sidelines again.

Diwedd/Ends