Limousin crisis – society confirms pedigree move
Limousin cattle breeders the length and breadth of the UK are now working out the consequences and financial losses following the breed society yesterday confirming the withdrawal of the pedigree status of a dozen top bulls and their progeny.
The move by the British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) is contained in a letter to members detailing that 12 bulls bred at Ballinloan, Dunkeld, and two cows from the same herd have now had their registration cancelled. This move follows the society receiving notification from the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) confirming errors in the animals’ dates of birth and/ or pedigree.
The letter from BCMS goes on to state that the passports originating from the Ballinloan herd will not be reinstated, regardless of what the breed society’s investigations “already have or may be able to achieve”.
In his letter to members, BLCS chairman Michael Cursitor, who farms in Orkney, confirms the named stock and their progeny have been de-registered and he advised: “They may not now be used for pedigree use or in any wider circumstance where pedigree status is required.”
Cursitor said that the BLCS council were very conscious of the impact the decision would have on a number of members. “It has been a complex decision that has been made with much consideration and with guidance from the appropriate authorities.,” he said.
“The overriding aim of council has been to provide the best possible protection of all members’ interests in the circumstances and protection of the credibility of the herd book.
This is not the end of the matter as the breed society has been notified that “a further number remain under investigation by the authorities.”