German beef invasion by back door (From Gazette & Herald)

German beef invasion by back door

THIS country has become the dumping ground of Europe and the Government must get its act together if there is going to be a semblance of agriculture left.

Europe has at last admitted what we have known for a long time, namely that BSE was not confined to these shores but had to extend across the Continent through those countries with any cattke numbers.

However, the realisation that BSE is not only on their doorstep but also in their kitchen has come as a complete surprise to the Franco-German consumer; and in the case of Germany, particularly, demand for beef has dropped through the floor.

The consequence is that they are seeking to export as much as they can, wherever they can, targeting the UK, where we have struggled through five years of pain to assure the housewife that British beef is safe.

Rather than attack us directly, the Germans have been creeping in the back door by sending large consignments to Ireland which have then been reprocessed and forwarded on to Britain, often under another label. Prices quoted in Dublin are 30pc below that of comparable Irish beef and their farmers are watching their own profitability collapse. The German beef that stays in Ireland finds its way into the catering and restaurant trade where there is no requirement to declare its origin.

Closer to home, I heard yesterday that one of our Yorkshire wholesale butchers was offered German beef at 100p/kilo, which compares with current market prices for UK beef at 170p/kilo.

I hasten to add that it is not the price which is the primary concern; for if Germans were able to produce beef at 100p/kilo then we would have to readjust our own production methods or do something else, but this is not the case.

And, furthermore, because of the speed with which this is all happening, the regulations which we have so clinically enforced in this country have not had time to bed-in over the water; and several cases have now been discovered where EU beef health rules have been breached. Parts of the spinal cord have been found in consignments, the latest of which was only last week in the Irish Republic.

The problem doesn't just extend to European imports but also cuts across all meat that we are taking from the rest of the world.

One of our main bull customers at Malton lost an order for 150 hindquarters last week to a consignment of Botswanan beef that is now headed for the shelves of one of our supermarkets. Nobody can tell me that the same rigourous health checks apply in these other countries and we must, therefore, impose strict control on our borders.

I have just heard the ghastly news this morning that there is a suspected foot and mouth disease outbreak in Essex amongst some pigs and one has to immediately suspect that the source is from outside the UK as, as far as I know, we haven't had an outbreak for well over ten years.

It is only last month that East Anglia was declared free of controls after the swine fever epidemic that many believe was introduced with imported meat.

We must demand some protection immediately, Mr Brown.

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Red tape and regulations are the most damaging single issues in the farming industry today and, although ministers repeatedly pontificate about their good intentions to reduce form filling, I don't see much evidence of it. It was reported last week that Don Curry, the chairman of the IACS Red Tape Group, praised the ministry for its efforts to simplify some of the rules but I think he has lost the plot or is hoping for an appearance in the Honours List.

A more objective view came in the major US business magazine, 'Forbes Global', which named Britain as "Tony Blair's red tape factory". It is the view of shocked US entrepreneurs that our Government is now loading businesses with more red tape than any other country in Europe.

New Labour achieved a record number of fresh Statutory Instruments in 1999, which topped 3,400 for the first time, and although the final figure for last year is not yet available, it is certainly going to be in excess of this also.

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My Ryton correspondent has been working overtime during my absence and it seems that the various hunting bills north and south of the border are undergoing metamorphosis before seeing the light of day. Already there are cracks appearing, because the Welsh want an exemption to continue shooting foxes using hounds to flush them out, and this week's announcement is that gamekeepers will be allowed to use dogs to flush out diseased or wounded deer.

In Scotland, a new bill has been tabled opting for the middle road of licensing hunts, which is sure to delay matters for a further year; and generally the legislation is now being shown in its true colours, ill conceived and based on 'prejudice'.

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The momentum for the march on the 18th is starting to gather pace and the first big posters have appeared in London. It is really important that we make a major statement to the rest of the country about our feelings and numbers are going to count, if you will excuse the tautology.

The Countryside Alliance has produced a form to register those who genuinely cannot attend because they need to remain at home to look after stock or guard the farm. Anyone wanting a copy of the form can get it at Malton Market; and it needs to be signed by someone responsible before despatching it to headquarters.

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The European Commission is currently proposing to cut beef production following the collapse of sales on the continent.

This country is to be included in these sweeping measures, despite the fact that we have managed to restore consumer confidence and that the only help we received during our five-year period of crisis was a complete ban from our partners.

The proposals include two measures which will hit us hard:

The 90-head limit on claiming beef premium will be reintroduced and this means that all our major cattle feeders will be disadvantaged.

It will be compulsory for suckler cow claims to include 20pc heifers. As these heifers do not have to be in calf, there is bound to be a drop in the number of quality beef suckler calves produced and a reduction in the supply of our best beef.

Both suggestions will damage British farming and, in any event, we should be granted an exemption.

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It was a glorious day on Tuesday market day, but sadly it brought a disappointing show of cattle into town.

However, the sheep shed was bustling with action and soon filled up with lambs and ewes for Philip to deal with. There were 2,316 hoggs forward, being a fraction down on last week, which averaged a respectable 112p/kilo. The top-priced sheep of the day came from Dick Grayson and made £60.80.

Another colossal show of 794 ewes met a slightly less eager trade but still averaged £42/head, up to a top price of £60.50 for some Texels from Rob Aconley.

There were 259 pigs on Monday and Tuesday, which averaged around 81p/kilo throughout the markets. Geoff Webster had the top-priced pen on Monday and HW Ward & Son on Tuesday, at 95p/kilo and 85.5p/kilo respectively, both on the cutter weight bracket.

John Cundall was in charge of the 74 young bulls, which have slipped back a bit over the last couple of weeks. The overall average was floating around 87p/kilo for all categories, up to a top price of 119/kilo for a lightweight bull from Roland Mason who has enjoyed his third week on the trot at the top of the bull charts.

Michael Harrison was pleased with the trade for the 134 clean cattle forward which was, however, a slightly disappointing show of numbers. Shapely heifers were the most popular and George Marwood was yet again at the top of the tables for one of his run which made 126p/kilo.

Bullocks were slightly sparse in number and the 55 forward averaged out at 84p/kilo. Brian Gray had two bullocks which shared the top price of 106p/kilo.

Overall, an encouraging day but keep bringing that stock in!

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Saturday sees the February Ryedale Farmers Market in the Sheep Shed at Malton, with a strong entry of both stall holders and auction lots. The market opens at 8.30am and the auction starts at 11am.

Updated: 17:20 Friday, February 23, 2001