That word again! (From Gazette & Herald)

That word again!

This week's column is by David Lindley

SEVERAL weeks ago, James mentioned in his article a new buzzword that is being talked about in farming circles - "de-coupling". On Tuesday morning, I finally received information regarding the mid-term review of CAP, however before I have even digested it I would quite happily send it back from whence it came!

The main EU proposal document extends to over 150 pages and is going to take many nights of enjoyable bedtime reading to absorb the contents, let alone understand it!

Very briefly, the EU council is aiming to create, as you will have heard our own minister say, "sustainable agriculture" and in Mrs Beckett's words: "to create fresh prosperity, to preserve and enhance our environment and contribute to a stable community". This all sounds fine, but it is the lack of practical rural knowledge of this Government that worries me when trying to implement the reforms.

The summary of the mid-term review is sub-divided, to try to provide the following:

To enhance the competitiveness of EU agriculture - In brief, they propose to set the intervention price on commodities as a real safety net in order to stabilise the markets.

To promote a market-orientated sustainable agriculture - It is in this section where they propose a shift from product to producer support, providing a de-coupled single-term payment.

The single payment will be based on a "reference amount", which in brief covers arable crops, beef, sheep, milk and dairy, and the reference period will be 2000-2002.

According to the document, each single farm payment will be broken down into payment entitlements. This apparently will allow entitlements to be transferred with or without land - confused?

In order to receive the decoupled single farm payment, the farmer will need to meet land management obligations which, in principle, will avoid land abandonment. They also propose that payments will be made only to farmers actively producing and maintaining land.

To provide a better balance of support and strengthen rural development - In brief, this means that funds will be made available for promotion of food quality, enable higher standards to be met and foster animal welfare.

It is clear the reviews are going to happen, but in what final form remains to be seen.

I only hope that whatever system is implemented does benefit the farming industry in order that many of the vital family businesses can remain trading at a sustainable level that will encourage the next generation to continue.

More sheep forward

On Tuesday, we saw the implementation of the six-day rule at Malton market and it has clearly had an effect, with a lot more sheep forward.

It has taken intense lobbying, from many sectors, to reduce the 20-day rule which Lord Whitty was all for keeping. It is vital that the six-day rule is observed, giving the authorities no ammunition to put the 20-day rule back in place.

In an article published in the Farmers Weekly this week, Lord Whitty makes it very clear that the only variation of the rule will be upwards, if disease risks increase. The article goes on to state that, in his opinion, markets need to adapt to a more modern system of complying with standstill and tighter controls. In the next breath, he goes on to state that there will be "more of a shift to deadweight selling".

In my opinion, it doesn't take much to see which side of the fence Lord Whitty is sat on!

Market report

Tuesday's market saw 146 cattle, including 30 bulls and 28 cows; 2,296 sheep, including 583 ewes and rams.

Light steers to 104p/kilo from L Thompson & Son, Fimber Ling (ave 96.5p); medium steers to 98p from T F W Morley, Brockhall Farm (93.5p); heavy steers to 111.5p from T F W Morley (93p).

Light heifers to 138p from G I Marwood, Harome (98.8p); heavy heifers to 138p from R Dring, Hartoft (94.5p).

Light bulls to 112p from D J Sunley, Nawton (96.3p); heavy bulls to 107p from W B Dowkes & Sons, Sinnington (93.7p).

Black and white bulls to 85p from Mark Welford, Weaverthorpe (81.2p).

Standard hoggs to 128.9p from J L Gray, Grindale (119.3p); medium hoggs to 128.5p from D Stark, Coulton (120.7p); heavy hoggs to 123.9p from P Jewitt, Hutton Buscel (112.5p); overweight hoggs to 109.4p from K Kirby & Son, Ebberston (105.6p).

Ewes to £70.50 from John Midgley, Uncleby Wold (£51.60).

Please note: As from March 11, the six-day store stock status rule will apply to both cattle and sheep on a Tuesday.

Updated: 10:18 Wednesday, March 05, 2003