Alyn Smith and Shetland crofter Norman Leask took their EID review plea to the European Commission this week.
Calling for an immediate review of the EID regulation, SNP MEP Alyn Smith this week highlighted the results of a survey of Shetland's farmers as "credible evidence" that Europe had got it wrong.
The results of the Shetland survey, sent out over the summer, were unequivocal – of the 293 responses received, 91% reported problems with sheep losing tags, 87% reported problems of sheep with damaged ears and 89% complained about the additional costs of the electronic tags and associated equipment.
Of most concern, 68% of 284 respondents said EID had made them consider giving up sheep farming altogether.
"That 80% of those that have destocked since 2011 state that difficulties associated with electronic tagging were a key element of their decision to do so is an astounding number and confirms exactly what I suspected," said Mr Smith. "This regulation is causing permanent damage to our sheep sector and it needs to be reviewed now."