IACS deadline is looming (From Gazette & Herald)

IACS deadline is looming

I CAN'T remember who made the sinister comment that the prospect of hanging concentrates the mind; but it is certainly true at this time of year that the threat of penalties persuades most of us to run round in ever-decreasing circles until the dreaded IACS forms are in the post or hand delivered.

D-Day is Thursday, May 15, and we miss it at our peril.

David Lindley reports that there are few new pitfalls this year, but some farmers still persist in trying to claim on all their cropping area without first checking to see if it is eligible for Arable Area Aid.

If you are having trouble, contact your valuer or advisor for some help.

No, this is not another chicken crossing the road joke. It is yet further evidence of the inherent weakness in our present control systems for defending the UK against imported disease.

Unlike SARS, which kills one in a thousand, avian influenza has a mortality rate of 80-90pc on infected poultry units.

Holland contracted the disease back in February and since then has culled more than 14m birds and imposed restrictions on 900 farms; but the flu marches on and has now crossed borders into Belgium.

The concern in this country centres around DEFRA's refusal to ban the importation of Dutch poultry products, including eggs which can carry the virus on the shell.

A spokesman quite correctly points out that eggs are not imported from the infected areas, but then that is not a likely prospect as all the laying birds have been slaughtered!

We don't have to cast our minds back very far to foot and mouth and BSE to see how Europe put up the shutters on our beef industry.

It seems to me sheer madness that we do not, temporarily at least, stop Dutch, and now Belgian, eggs rolling across the channel.

The whole import control scenario is being further debilitated by a shortage of customs officers to carry out inspections; and the Government's response has been to withdraw regular checks at some ports, introducing instead flying squads.

What sort of a defence system is that?

In the 1960s it was, I believe, Guy Reid who set up a broiler chicken unit at Dalton, near Thirsk, and ever since then there has been a steady stream of poultry production from the factory, employing over 300 people, together with all the ancillary trades such as plumbers, gardeners, vets and even the local bus company to bring in workers.

At its peak, and having turned to turkeys, it was capable of putting through 30,000 birds a day. That has ended with the company being put into receivership last week.

Our sympathies go to all those who worked directly and indirectly on the site.

With fingers crossed that it may continue, this spring has seen an unprecedented run of high prices for new season lamb.

I remember Richard Machin telling me before Easter that he had heard of an order from the Continent for a large consignment of 10- to 12-kilo carcasses and I thought at the time it might herald a mini-boom for the sheep producer.

There is still strong demand from Europe and according to MLC, exports this year will be back to 65pc of the pre-FMD levels.

Even as we enter the month of May, prices are holding firm, with some of the best Continental lambs making £2 per kilo live weight.

Part of the reason is that the breeding flock has not been fully replaced following FMD and stocks are still running 10pc lower than they used to be.

Forecasts for this year don't see a lot of improvement at the moment, mainly because of the uncertainty over the mid-term review which could change the support systems for an enterprise which is labour intensive.

In the meantime, enjoy the good trade while you can.

It's like a French Farce, with Elliot Morley playing the chief clown, a role which suits him admirably!

The nonsensical ban on burying fallen stock on farms came into force on May 1, but the national collection scheme, which was to be its successor, cannot start up until August 1.

Last week it appeared that there was a new twist to the pantomime, with the Government having forgotten to introduce a bill in Parliament whereby the European law can come into effect in the UK.

Consequently, we are in a complete chaotic void with a European law that is not yet in force over here and with a support scheme that cannot start up for some months.

The principal clown states with brazen audacity that "we expect farmers to make every effort they can to comply with the regulation."

What regulation, may I ask?

I hope you will excuse the personal pleasure with which I report this next item.

Norman Jackson is one of the old school vets who was brought up on a blend of science and common sense. He is highly respected and has served the farming community in the Easingwold area for the past 39 years.

Norman and I go back a long time, and it was a happy day when he took my daughter Nicky into the practice as an assistant seven years ago.

With effect from May 1, Nicky takes over the Toft Lodge Veterinary Centre and Norman will stay on as consultant.

Best wishes to both

I finally caught up with Jeremy Valentines' Easter joke at Sunday evensong.

A little boy of "Just William" ilk, noticed his mother had a very fat tummy.

"Why is your tummy so fat, Mummy?"

"Because, William, there is a baby inside me"

"Where did you get it from Mummy?"

"Daddy gave it to me"

Pondering, William went off and found his father.

"Daddy, did you give a baby to Mummy?"

"Yes, son I did"

"Well I think you ought to know, she's gone and eaten it!"

Forward on May 6 were 85 cattle including 32 bulls; 1,462 sheep including 631 lambs and 280 ewes.

Steers, light to 109p/kilo from W Chambers & Sons, Marton, heavy to 130p from J L Gray, Grindale (ave 93.6p).

Heifers, light to 110p from G I Marwood, Harome (99.5p), medium to 128p from G I Marwood (95.3p), heavy to 135p from G I Marwood (101.28p).

Bulls, light to 92p from D Sunley, Nawton, medium to 121p from P & I Beal, Settrington (97.8p), heavy to 96p from W & L Thompson, Middleton (87.8p); black & white to 78p/kilo from D Kirby, Ebberston (5.6p/kilo.

Lambs, standard to 195p from F A Murray, Kilham Road (182.8p), medium to 195p from R Chambers, Huttons Cranswick (181.1p), heavy to 190p from R Green, Pickering (173.4p).

Standard hoggs to 144.5p from J Hicks, Cawton (131.5p), medium hoggs to 163.6p from M Medd, Sawdon (136p), heavy hoggs to 163p from P M Allen, Little Barugh (148.3p/kilo, overweight hoggs to 159.4p.kilo G R Brooke, Linton Farm ave 143.7p/kilo.

Ewes to £95 G Coleman, Burton Fleming ave £62.60.

Updated: 13:32 Wednesday, May 07, 2003