Fallen stock scheme (From Gazette & Herald)

Fallen stock scheme

EARLIER this year, the Government implemented the EU animal by-products regulation scheme which banned the routine on-farm burials of animal carcasses from May this year.

The National Farmers' Union, together with other industry organisations, has always believed that farmers should be able to bury their own stock on the farm but, with this new EU regulation, the cost to the farmer was not going to be economic.

On Wednesday last week, it was announced that a public limited company was to be set up, financed by subscriptions from farmers plus Government aid. This should therefore enable the EU regulation to be implemented at a more tolerable monetary level for farmers.

The NFU warns that if the scheme is not taken up by farmers, the chance for Government aid "could be lost forever".

It is, therefore, very important that as many farmers as possible return their registration form in order that this Government aid is made available.

I understand that the registration forms will be available from next month.

Last week, the Meat and Livestock Commission promoted its new best practice guidelines in advising the UK's 270,000 food service operators on how they can label their menus in order that they can clarify where the meat is sourced.

Currently, nearly three-quarters of the meat-consuming public believe the meat they eat in retail outlets and in schools is British.

This sector is worth a staggering £4.3 billion per year and, according to the MLC, only 40pc is British, leaving almost £2.6 billion worth of trade to imported meat.

There is, therefore, clearly a mismatch in what consumers believe they are eating and this is the reason for promoting more informative menus.

As stressed many times before in this column, when eating out, ask where the meat you are about to order is sourced from. If the answer is one you don't like, please speak out and let your feelings be known.

Last week, the House of Lords overwhelmingly voted for an amendment to the hunting bill by 261 votes to 49.

This amendment will allow hunting to continue on a regulated basis, as opposed to MPs who voted for an outright ban in July.

There are further amendments to be discussed in the House of Lords this week.

It is clear from the vote that the hunting with dogs bill has very little respect from in the Lords. Let's hope more common sense will prevail.

After the success of the first suckler sale, held at the market on October 24, we will be holding a second sale on Friday, November 7.

There is already a good level of stock entered from local herds.

If you would like to enter, or would like a word regarding the sale, please contact Paul Morse or Philip Place (01653 692151).

Forward on October 28 were 119 cattle including 46 bulls and 40 OTMs, 693 sheep including 108 ewes.

Light steers to 103p from B Gray, Fryup; heavy steers to 106p from B Gray (ave 100.33p). Light heifers to 139p from G I Marwood, Harome (112.2p); heavy heifers to 135p from A W Hardwick & Sons, Snainton (109.8p). Light bulls to 109p from D Beal, Yedingham (97.5p); heavy bulls to 107p from Langton Farms Ltd, Langton (96.8p); black & white bulls to 93p from M Ellerby, Pickering (83.2p).

Standard lambs to 112.8p from M Hammond, Ebberston (108.8p); medium lambs to 114.7p from Wilson Bros, Ryton (109.5p); heavy lambs to 108.6p from G R & S C Brooke, Linton Wold (103.5p); overweight lambs to £51.60 from P Boocock, Kirby Mills (93.3p). Ewes to £66 from J White, Wilton (£40).

Updated: 10:10 Wednesday, October 29, 2003