Warning: Proposals ‘would have devastating impact on Scotland’s red meat supply chain’

THE Scottish Red Meat Resilience Group has responded in strong opposition to the recommendations in both the Defra and Scottish Government consultations on Welfare of Animals at Transport, which closes for submissions this week.

According to the group, if implemented, the proposals contained within the consultations would have a devastating impact on Scotland’s red meat supply chain.

The cross-industry group is chaired by Quality Meat Scotland’s chair Kate Rowell. The group consists of representatives from across the supply chain including the Scottish

Beef Association, NFU Scotland, National Sheep Association Scotland, Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs, Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers, Pig Industry Leadership Group, Scottish Federation of Meat Traders Association, and The Institute of Auctioneers & Appraisers in Scotland.

Kate Rowell said: “From prohibiting transport when external temperature is below five degrees – effectively ruling out transport from November to March in Scotland – to limiting journey times to nine hours for nine-month-old calves, the proposals do not reflect and recognise the already robust systems and safeguards the Scottish livestock industry has in place to ensure that animal welfare is the number one concern when transporting livestock around the country”.

Market round-up SUPPLIES of prime hoggets appear to be getting tighter and the average price cooled off just a little yesterday.

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 691 hoggs at Newton Stewart to average 262p/kg (-8p). Top price of £136 was realised for a pen of heavyweight Charolais, while 290p per kilo was achieved for lightweight Texels. Four hundred and thirty-eight Blackface hoggs at the sale averaged 261p (-6p). Top prices were £126 for a pen of heavyweights and 282p/ kg for a pen of 40. Cast sheep continued to be easily sold with a single Texel being knocked down at £180, while Mule ewes sold up to £99 and Blackfaces to £78.

C&D Auctions Ltd held their weekly sale of primestock in Dumfries yesterday. Prime cattle sold to 245p/kg with others to 240p. OTMS peaked at £1265 for a British Blue and 153p/kg for a Limousin. Dairy types peaked at £1030 and 115p for Holsteins

The firm also sold 453 prime and cast sheep at its sale yesterday. It was a small and mixed show of hoggs that continued to be in demand. Top prices were £135 for heavy Texels, while top price per kilo was 364p for hoggs weighing between 25kg and 32kg. There were 87 hoggets sold weighing between 39kg and 45kg to average 273p/kg (-10p).

The 189 cast sheep peaked at £124 for Texels, while Blackfaces sold to £78.