AFTER months of pressure from dairy farmers and the media, Tesco decided last week to lift the price of milk by around 2.6p per litre on the shop shelf; and the expectancy within the industry is that a large part of the rise will be passed back to the farm gate.

Being an old cynic I think we have yet to see a supermarket lift its prices in order to benefit a supplier and I note the significant "no comment" response from Tesco when asked how much producers might receive.

The relentless pursuit of profit is what drives a supermarket and not any feeling of a moral obligation to keep its suppliers in business.

Time will quickly tell whether Tesco will act honourably and properly but don't hold your breath.

Single Payment update

It is the time of year when we are reaching all sorts of deadlines for the SP Scheme and here is a bit of an update:

  • 2006 SP Payments

Last week some 53,000 claimants had received a full payment for their 2006 claim; and some 38,000 had received a partial payment.

The figures flatter the situation as 84 per cent of claimants have been paid in full or part but only 64 per cent of the money has been handed over.

  • Transfer Entitlements

If you are affected by the transferring in or out of entitlements then these movements will not be reflected in your payment. This is solely because the RPA have not put the transfers onto their computer system and have run a separate normal record instead.

Those affected will be getting incorrect statements but the hope is that they will be put right at the final payment stage.

  • Deadline for 2007

Transfers Don't forget that if you want to transfer entitlements in or out then you need to complete an RLE 1 form by April 2.

  • National Reserve Transfers

Following an amendment to the European legislation last December it is now possible to transfer National Reserve entitlements where there is a merger or a scission of a business.

The mechanics for doing this are through the RLE 1 form but it is a bit technical and you should seek advice.

  • Temporary Grass becoming Ineligible for Set Aside

Following further confirmation from Defra last week farmers should note that after five years, grass becomes permanent pasture and cannot be marked down as Set Aside. For example, where land was sown down to grass prior to May 15, 2002, then it will have to be coded as permanent pasture on the 2007 application form.

Sorry if it is all a bit dull but we need to know the ground rules and pitfalls.

Matthews compensation

I cannot make up my mind whether to have any sympathy for the Bernard Matthews operation but the announcement last week that Defra is to pay around £600,000 compensation to the company will certainly stir the debate. Under the 1981 Animal Health Act compensation has to be paid for the healthy birds that were slaughtered and this is put at around £4 per head for the 150,000 turkeys that were culled.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the outbreak is still ongoing and time perhaps will tell whether Matthews was itself to blame for introducing bird flu into the UK.

Northern meat in the big city

In true Dick Turpin fashion, Richard Machin set off from York to London last week but not to seek his fortune.

He was visiting the Borough Market where butchers from all over the country sell their wares emphasising their quality and origin.

The market was packed and on the first stall stood Geoff Kilby from Wetherby who had got a Defra grant to put in a rape crushing machine. He was selling Wharf Valley rape oil.

Further down was the Ginger Pig stall from Pickering that seemed to be doing great business. Elsewhere Cumbria was represented by "Ruff Fell" and "Heardwick Sandwiches" (sorry about the spelling but that's how it is in London).

Richard reported that the whole place was a hive of activity and sets a fine example for us to follow.

Presenting your meat

I have no fault to find with the presentation of meat in local butchers shops but having returned from South Africa I found that they had an interesting approach.

I went into a butcher's shop where there was an upright fridge with a glass front and the beef was displayed on the various shelves but arranged according to age.

The top shelf was aged five to six weeks following slaughter. The middle shelves three to four weeks and the lower shelves one to two weeks.

The older meat we selected was delicious and I wonder if we have anything to learn.

Fishermen vs canoeists

There is a growing conflict between the fishermen of Britain's rivers and the newcomer canoeists; and in the odd cases warning shots have been fired and fishing hooks thrown in anger.

The matter has now been brought to a head by a Private Members Bill being considered this month in Parliament.

If passed, the Access to Ingland Waterways Bill will open up another 41 miles of rivers to the men in canoes.

It's the way you say it

My Sinnington correspondent has come to life for the spring and sent me this little ditty about a farmer from the top end of the Dale who had developed two corns and a bunion which needed attention.

He was last seen wandering around Pickering looking for a "Fiat Agent"!

Saying of the week

This one appealed to my irreverent self.

"Lead me not in to temptation; I can find the way myself!"

A budding All Black

My New Zealand grandson Finlay James attained the age of six years last Sunday and announced to his mother that he now wished to start playing rugby. He has joined the local minis club in Wellington which is delightfully called "Small Blacks".

Market report

Forward 114 cattle including 16 bulls and 15 cows, 1,931 sheep including 435 ewes, light steers to 114p, R & D Bell, Normanby, medium steers to 120p, D Ulliott, Suffield, ave 110.3p; heavy steers to 136p, Glaves and McNay, Staxton, ave 116.2p; light heifers to 140p, G L Downes, Weaverthorpe, ave 116.9p; heavy heifers to 152p, G I Marwood, Harome, ave 115.2p; light bulls to 115p, I D Watson Farmers, Fadmoor, heavy bulls to 127p, J & A M Craggs, Ebberston, ave 109.8p; OTMs to 102.5p, ave 77.3p; standard hoggs to 126.3p, T M & J Abram, Westow, ave 114.9p; medium hoggs to 125.5p, C Southwell, Burton Fleming, ave 115.2p; heavy hoggs to 118p, C Southwell, Burton Fleming, ave 108.6p; overweight hoggs to 111.3p, E W Jackson, Grindale, ave 101.1p; ewes to £69.50, C Mudd, Brompton by Sawdon, ave £48.50.