Auctioneers count cost of virus

By FWi staff

FOOT-AND-MOUTH has had a big impact on livestock auctioneers.

Perth-based UA Group has reported a 16.55% fall in turnover to 4.79m for the six months to 31 July, with an operating loss of 538,000.

In the same period, operating costs have been cut by 24%.

Due to its reliance on autumn sales, UA figures tend to show a loss for the first six months of the year.

But this year that operating deficit is 57% greater than the loss recorded in the first half of 2000.

Nonetheless, David Danson, UA chief executive, remains upbeat.

“This is a remarkable result given the strictures that foot-and-mouth has placed on the whole livestock sector.”

With no livestock markets since foot-and-mouth broke out, the firm was forced to concentrate on farm-to-farm and electronic trading.

However, Carlisle-based H&H Group reported a profit rise, despite foot-and-mouth, to 265,000 before tax.

The full impact of the crisis was only felt during the last four months of the trading year, said Ian Walker, group chairman.