Scottish sheep farmers hit out at ‘laughable’ Brexit comments by rural affairs minister

NATIONAL Sheep Association (NSA) Scotland has slammed remarks made by George Eustice, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on the Andrew Marr Show on Sunday. His responses to questions have been described by one industry leader as “laughable” and demonstrate that the Westminster government is not listening to Scotland’s sheep farmers.

On the subject of EU negotiations, Brexit trade deals and likely tariffs in the event of a no deal, Mr Eustice gave the impression that UK farmers would not be impacted by tariffs.

However, he did acknowledge that tariffs on lamb could cause significant issues and a solution would be for mixed farmers to diversify into beef because the UK would be importing less from Ireland.

NSA Scotland’s chair, Jen Craig, said: “It would appear the sheep industry’s concerns on the impact of tariffs in the event of a no deal have been falling on deaf ears. For a Government minister to suggest on national television that our mixed farmers could diversify into beef in the event of the lamb price crashing is, quite frankly, a laughable response.

“The industry has been calling for support packages to be put in place for compensation for the sheep sector in the event of a no deal.

“If the UK government cannot reach a deal with the EU and if Mr Eustice believes we will be unaffected then I see absolutely no reason for the UK Government not to have a compensation scheme ready and waiting”.

Market round-up

Harrison & Hetherington Ltd sold 74 clean cattle, 87 cast cows, 1,590 prime lambs and 550 cast sheep at St Boswells yesterday.

Forty-four prime heifers peaked at 256p/ kg to average 231p (-1p), while 25 bullocks sold to a top of 243p to average 221p (+7p). Five young bulls sold to 209p to average 191p (+11p).

In the rough ring cast cows were topped at £1,365 and 173p twice to average 133p (+4p).

Prime lambs peaked at £120 and 296p/kg for Beltex to average 207p (+2p). Heavy cast ewes sold to a top of £125 for Suffolks and averaged £91 (-£4), while light ewes peaked at £97 for Cheviots and averaged £56(-£3).

Lawrie and Symington sold 132 cattle at Lanark yesterday.

There were 50 prime bullocks and heifers that sold to 254p/kg or to £1,510, while bullocks peaked at 242p (twice) or at £1,632. Five young bulls sold to £1,522 and 214p.

There were also 77 cast cows and bulls that sold to £1,535 or 160p for beef cows and £735 and 132p for dairy cows. A smaller show of 3,459 prime lambs sold to £120 for Texels and 281p/kg for Beltex to average 210p/kg overall.