Asda cuts no slice with Parma (From Gazette & Herald)

Asda cuts no slice with Parma

I REALLY really didn't know whether to laugh or be angry when I read about the saga of slicing Parma ham.

The big UK supermarkets have for some years been slicing and packaging Parma ham for their customers; but this was considered quite unacceptable behaviour by the ham producers back in Italy where they zealously guard the whole process.

They claim that the slicing and packaging of their ham can, and should, only be done in Parma and then despatched for sale.

You really might have thought that a slicing machine could hardly be different whether it was situate in northern Italy or north London but, famed for its lateral thinking, the European Court of Justice chose to differ; and it has now issued a verdict banning Asda from slicing and packaging Parma ham.

I was tempted to smile, and say how farcical, but then I contrasted this xenophobic nonsense with the seemingly-impossible task of getting these same supermarkets to even label British meat correctly.

You can go into most superstores in this country and see meat from all over the world paraded as though it had come off a British farm - and even in some cases bearing the ubiquitous little Red Tractor.

Should we ask the Italian NFU to put our case to Asda?

A fairly daunting recipe of veterinary medicine and the law has been concocted by Madeleine Forsyth and Stephen Lomax, both of whom have veterinary backgrounds, but they are combining this with training at the bar.

Stephen is already a qualified barrister, and where law and veterinary medicine meet they can provide expert advice for farmers, horse owners, abattoir operators and others involved in the countryside.

There should be no conflict with local solicitors who may well use VetLaw themselves for expert opinion.

I know that there have been many times in recent years when I have been fighting a lone battle against the Meat Hygiene Service, or some other Government department, and it will be comforting to know that there are specialists to whom we can turn in future.

Anyone wanting to find out a bit more information can get in touch at the Old Post Office, Ampleforth, on (01439) 788222.

Despite the fact that we have not got an LIDL superstore in Malton, there are currently 370 outlets across the UK offering discounted groceries and meats.

LIDL is a German-owned company shrouded in secrecy and very aggressive in operation .

Quite arbitrarily, the directors announced to its suppliers that it would drop the price of milk by 1.3p per litre, and this has caused a more than usual storm in the proverbial teacup.

David Handley, of "Farmers For Action", led the protest, with picketing and blockades at the mainly Scottish depots.

With no support from their other supermarket competitors, LIDL has had to back down.

Initially it offered a compromise, suggesting that the reduction would be only 0.75p per litre, but this was flatly rejected and it's a return to status quo.

Whilst this is a significant victory, complacency would be premature as I suspect the German boardroom will be marshalling its troops for a fresh assault.

Figures from the major banks show that borrowings in the agricultural sector have jumped by around 6pc, compared with a year ago, and are now running at their highest level for ten years.

It is strangely encouraging that none of the lending banks seems particularly concerned and still views our industry as a good investment.

The reasons for the extra pressure on cash are not hard to find.

On the arable side, profits have been hit by poor prices, and many farmers have had to borrow more to fund this year's inputs.

In the dairy sector, low milk prices haven't helped, and those still left producing milk have been spending money on expansion.

With beef and sheep farms, there has been a continuing spend on restocking following FMD.

With the euro strengthening, we do look set for better prices this year and hopefully some more profit.

For almost ten years now, livestock producers have had to suffer the imposition of charges by abattoirs for the disposal of specified bovine offal (SBO).

It is not compulsory for abattoirs to pass on the costs, but many, especially the larger units, have chosen to do so, at varying levels from £3 to £15 per head.

My mole in the meat industry tells me that the actual cost to the abattoir of disposing of the offal has dropped by almost 75pc and, in addition, they are now receiving money for fat instead of paying to have it removed.

On the basis of this evidence, there seems to be no justification for passing on any charges and if anyone has any information on this I should be pleased to receive it.

Forward on Tuesday were 74 cattle including 38 bulls; 978 sheep including 175 ewes.

Steers to 133p/kilo from J L Gray & Son, Grindale (ave 95.2p/kilo). Heifers to 130p from G I Marwood, Harome (93.4p). Bulls to 105p/kilo from J S Thornton, West Lutton (89.6p).

Black and white bulls to 80p/kilo from M W Ellerby, Pickering (74.5p).

Standard lambs, average to 150p; mediums to 151p from C Mudd, Brompton (146p). Heavy lambs to 152p from L Jones, Wrelton (141p).

Hoggs to 111p/kilo (103.5p/kilo).

Ewes to £66.80 from F C Wardle, Yedingham (48.04p/kilo).

Updated: 16:53 Wednesday, May 28, 2003