£24m cost of ageing rules change being put on hold
A UK government U-turn on its promise to change sheep ageing regulations will cost farmers upwards of £24 million, according to industry estimates.
Despite the undertaking given by the UK Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) that it would allow the industry to move away from using dentition as the guide to the age of sheep for carcase splitting regulations, it was confirmed this week that the rule change will be shelved.
In a move termed “disappointing” by the industry, Defra’s earlier hints that Brexit uncertainties would see any changes delayed were officially confirmed.
The ageing issue is hugely important to Scottish producers because carcases of sheep regarded as 12 months or over are subject to splitting which can bring a significant reduction in the price paid to producers.
And while the eruption of permanent incisor teeth in a sheep’s mouth can give an indication as to whether a sheep is 12 months or over, checking is time consuming and expensive – and not particularly accurate.
NFU Scotland said the new system, based on calendar dates, would have been more closely linked to traceability systems and seen lambs going to slaughter prior to 30 June deemed to be under 12 months, while any old season hoggs marketed after 30 June would be regarded as over 12 months in age.
This, the union claimed, would have given sheep producers far greater certainty on the price they would receive for their sheep from the abattoir.
And while it is understood that the Scottish Government has put draft legislation in place that would allow a move to a fixed date, the UK government has indicated that because of the uncertainty over Brexit, it will not change the ageing method at this time.
Jimmy Ireland, NFU Scotland livestock committee chairman, said: “The official announcement from Defra that it plans to delay the implementation of changes to sheep ageing for the purposes of TSE controls is no surprise, given its statement in March, but continues to be a source of frustration.
“While the change has been delayed, NFU Scotland will be seeking an agreement on how to administer a change so that it can be implemented as soon as reasonably possible,” he said, adding that this was yet another area where Brexit uncertainty was having an effect on enabling positive change.
The National Sheep Association struck out at the fact that another season would have to pass at a cost to the sheep industry of in excess of £24m a year.
“There will be some farmers out there who have bought lambs and fed them with the expectation of the move to the 30 June date,” said NSA chief executive, Phil Stocker, adding that the NSA was now pushing for a timetable to ensure the change is fully implemented ahead of the 2020 season.