Archive Article: 2002/03/22

22 March 2002

Collective pick-ups make market sense

It has taken time, but finally DEFRA has listened. At last beef finishers, breeders and calf rearers can buy cattle in markets without having to buy a whole lorry-load to make it cost-effective.

Before this week, neighbouring farmers couldnt group together cattle or calves bought in a market. Instead, even if the farms were only a few miles apart, hauliers had to make separate journeys.

Thankfully, thats no longer the rule. But farms must still be approved by vets to be eligible. More red tape, but it could be more than well worthwhile.