OTM scheme to be phased out in three years (From Gazette & Herald)

OTM scheme to be phased out in three years

EAVESDROPPING on conversations last week, I gather that it is still the intention this autumn to try and re-introduce to the food chain OTM cattle born after August 1996.

This will leave a vast residue of older cows still to be disposed of, but the fear has been that the Government, with its wonderful track record of listening to the farming fraternity, would just cut us off by the stocking tops.

It was with great relief therefore that we heard Ben Bradshaw announce last week that the OTM scheme would be phased out over a three-year period, thus giving those of us with cattle born prior to August 1996, the opportunity to plan for replacements.

The timing of bringing older cattle back into the food chain will depend upon the success of the current abattoir BSE testing trials and the EU inspection visit which started this week.

The testing proposals look to me like an over-reaction to risk as I understand they include detaining carcases at the slaughter house either side of the one being tested; if the test returns negative they will all pass, but if it proves positive then three carcases are dumped just in case there might possibly have been any contamination.

I have updated you over the years on an appeal that I started running against the MHS in January 2005 when a bull from a local lady farmer was binned at Preston abattoir because it didn't have a tag in its ear after slaughter.

At the time we produced evidence to show the farmer's breeding records were in order, the hauliers to and from the market signed affidavits, as did our market staff who had inspected the tag on arrival.

After five-and-a-half years we all met in a very large room at The Royal York Hotel and an adjoining consultation chamber. We asked Madeleine Forsyth, of Vet law, Helmsley, to represent us as she has both veterinary and legal qualifications.

Apart from the assessor and a high ranking official from the FSA, there were five senior MHS staff and a leading barrister.

Madeleine opened our case by pointing out an anomaly in the witness statements from the MHS, whereby a meat technician had written that he had seen a market ticket on the hide of the bull in question, and the principal MHS Inspector who stated that he would have passed the beast had there been a market ticket on the hide.

Clearly there had been no liaison between the two and with some embarrassment the MHS barrister declared after a recess that they no longer wished to defend their position.

It looked like an appalling waste of public money and an attempt to once again deprive a farmer of reasonable and proper payment.

We spent the next four hours arguing about compensation and the final result will be given within the next two weeks.

I commend Madeleine Forsyth's handling of the case which, after thorough research, was conducted with restrained dignity combined with forceful advocacy.

I find it incredible, distasteful and even disgusting that Arla Foods have announced another cut in the milk price of 0.355p per litre as from June 1.

We have been watching as dairy farmers quit the industry wholesale, whilst processors put more nails in their coffin than a funeral director can in a lifetime. There would be some excuse if Arla Foods were on their uppers, but Sir David Naish, late I believe of the NFU Presidency, announced last week a doubling of pre-tax profits to £10.1 million for the half year. How on earth can a man from a farming background bring himself so low as to be party to such a decision?

This is the final call for anyone who hasn't submitted an SP5 form to register entitlements. Once again I cannot over emphasise the importance of getting in your application. You may not get paid this year, but at least the entitlements will be there to increase the value of your farming land. Anyone in trouble please get in touch direct with your adviser.

I don't quite know why I have always viewed Peter Mandelson a bit circumspectly and it worries me that he is now in charge of the EU negotiations with the World Trade Organisation.

He has revealed his socialist background by announcing recently that the fact that third world countries cannot comply with the Farm Assurance standards of Europe should not deprive them of access to our market.

This is a major statement and a blow to British farmers who are made to comply with the strictest of welfare standards in order to send our cattle into supermarkets.

If imported meat can come in from countries which do not enforce proper welfare standards when we have no chance whatever to compete on price.

If Mandelson's words are translated into deeds then everything from abroad must be properly labelled as not up to British welfare standards, allowing the buying public to decide.

My Bossall correspondent sent me a cutting about legislation which comes into force this July covering composting of manure for use as fertiliser.

Permits to build a compost heap will cost up to £500 and those liable for compliance include equestrian businesses such as livery yards, studs and riding schools.

The draft Bill contains a second dose of medicine requiring the muck heaps to be built on leak-proof concrete with a run off into a holding tank.

My Sinnington correspondent has sent me a note this week with one or two bits to raise a smile and a frown.

On the serious side, he points out that the MP Tony Banks, who was at the forefront of the anti-hunting brigade, has now declared that he is quite happy to be a Lord of the realm in ermine fancy dress.

I don't suppose he will want reminding of his two reputed quotes -- "People are tired of tradition" and "People don't care about tradition".

On the lighter side, there was a couple who went to see the vicar about wedding arrangements; and the bride-to-be asked the vicar for his views on sex before marriage.

"Well," said the vicar, "I don't think you should keep the congregation waiting too long!"

An outstanding show of cattle and sheep were forward at the special June prime stock sale at Malton on Tuesday.

Cattle Judge R Bowling Esq Haxby, Sheep Judge J Storey Hunmanby. Forward 172 cattle including 67 bulls, 1,366 sheep including 785 lambs and 267 ewes. Champion beast in show - GI Marwood, Harome, 715kg 167p, to Radfords Butchers, Sleights; Best steer in show - G I Marwood, Harome, 715kg, 149p, to Glaves Butchers, Brompton; Best bull in show J Waind, Brawby, 120p to S Hibberd, light bulls 1st England Bros, Lutton, 128p to Bramhalls Butchers, 2nd England Bros, Lutton, 116p to S Hibberd, heavy bulls, M T Bulmer, Salton, 122p to S Hibberd, 3rd MT Bulmer, Salton, 130p to Swales Butchers, light steers, 1st GI Marwood, Harome, 145p to S Hibberd, 2nd JA Barker, Snainton, 136p to S Hibberd, heavy steers 1st GI Marwood, Harome, to Glaves Butchers, Brompton, 2nd JL Gray, Grindale, 146p to Radford Butchers, Sleights, light heifers 1st P Mason, Cottam, 182p S Hibberd, 2nd GI Marwood, Harome, 150p to S Hibberd, 3rd GI Marwood, Harome, 144p to Agars Butchers, heavy heifers, 2nd GI Marwood, Harome, 152p to S Hibberd, 3rd RGP Mason, Ling Hall, 134p S Hibberd, light lambs 1st D J Wilson, Harome, £77 to Glaves Butchers, Brompton, 2nd DJ Wilson, Harome, £66.50 to Agars Butchers, Ilkley, 3rd W Burdass & Sons, Octon, £62.20 to A Atkinson, medium lambs 1st G Harper, Newton on Rawcliffe, £74 to Glaves Butchers, Brompton, 2nd CJ Stonehouse, Brawby, £65 to R Schofield, Todmordon, 3rd EE Wilkinson, Langtoft, £65.50 to RA Norman, Boosbeck, heavy lambs 1st J & R Waind, Brawby, £78 to A Atkinson, Kettlesing, 2nd JB Teasdale, Helmsley, £66 A Atkinson, 3rd N Hayton, Nunnington, £68 A Atkinson, light steers to 146p av 110.3p, heavy steers to 149p ave 114.1p, light heifers to 182p ave 117.2p, heavy heifers to 167p ave 116.5p, light bulls to 116p ave 119.8p, medium bulls to 128p ave 110.6p, heavy bulls to 132p ave 107.8p, black and white bulls to 99p, Mrs Avison Black Bull ave 93.2p, standard lambs to 197.4p ave 144.7p, medium lambs to 180.4p ave 142.6p, heavy lambs to 147.8p ave 135.1p, standard hoggs to 129.4p ave 108.9p, medium hoggs to 114.6p ave 91.5p, heavy hoggs to 108.6p ave 95.3p, ewes to £53 ave £39.57.

Updated: 11:19 Wednesday, June 08, 2005