Beef scheme faces new threat
While the Scottish Government’s troubled beef efficiency scheme (BES) saw several hundred producers quit the scheme earlier this year, more could inadvertently fall out if they fail to file details on calves born in the first half of the year.
Urging farmers to complete the recording of any outstanding data as soon as possible, Scotland’s rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing yesterday said that the deadline for submission of the details on calves born between the start of January and the start of June had been 15 July.
“So far over 1,400 businesses have completed their calving data requirements,” said Ewing.
“But there are still 300 BES participants to complete their calving data recording and I am keen that they do so. There are no immediate penalties for having missed the 15 July deadline, but there could be an impact on the next stage of the scheme.”
He said that his department aimed to deliver
0 Deadline for submitting BES calving data has passed all tags before the end of August – adding that those who had entered information early would receive their next selection of tissue tags by the end of this week, giving producers more time to organise the sampling.
“We all want BES to work and work well. The scheme will provide valuable learning on key issues of animal well-being and climate change which we can take into future policy,” he said.
Earlier in the week Ewing announced that Borders and Lothian-based food producers and processors were amongst 13 organisations awarded a share of £3.5 million of funding to support food processing, marketing and co-operation in the primary food sector.
Glenrath Egg Products from Peebles had been awarded £427,000 for egg processing equipment to help double their existing capacity and to access new markets in the food services sector.
Border Meats was awarded £305,000 to centralise operations in Lockerbie and create a more efficient and sustainable abattoir, butchery and sales facility and W& R Logan Partnership from East Lothian was awarded £244,949.60 to extend its packhouse and install technically advanced equipment.