Dates are set as live marts begin
Dates are set as live marts begin
By James Garner
ONLY 5% of markets are shutting their gates for the last time, an exclusive FARMERS WEEKLY survey has revealed. But a further fifth are still evaluating their future.
Most marts have concerns about the costs of selling stock under DEFRAs new biosecurity rules, including upgrading facilities, hiring extra labour and the cost of cleansing and disinfection.
Even so, the good news is that most marts plan to apply for licences, although others might fall foul of the requirements and be forced to shut. The vast majority, though, have already logged dates for their first sales, while a few eager marts have held sales this week.
Shrewsbury in Shropshire opened on Tuesday, and was the first market to be held in England since foot-and-mouth broke out nearly a year ago. Carmarthen followed suit in Wales on Wednesday.
As farmers weekly went to press, Derby and Thame markets both had sales pencilled in for Thursday and Friday, respectively. Knighton and Kington also planned to open doors this week, while most other major markets will follow next week.
Of the 5% that have decided to close, all are small centres. Hope in Derbyshire was operator Bagshaws smallest market and is being shut as the company rationalises.
A spokesman for another small market, Penkridge in Staffordshire, said: "It is a sad fact, but old markets like Penkridge are no longer cost effective under the new rules."
Gowerton, near Swansea in Wales, will not reopen because of the cost of a new vehicle washing bay. Martin Jenkins, of auctioneer Rees, Richards and Partners, added:
"I think F&M has fast forwarded the restructuring of livestock auctions and I would not be surprised if other small markets in Wales do not reopen."
None of the big centres are likely to close, although Welshpool, the biggest single one-day sheep auction in Europe, will find it hard to meet all the new regulations.
Tony Evans, of auctioneer Morris Marshall and Poole, admitted the new rules could be a problem for the site, a town centre location that is split on both sides of the road.
Even so, he hopes to gain approval and start selling store cattle by the end of the month. However, he wants buyers to show more enthusiasm, before he considers selling primestock again.
Fewer prime cattle are available in the areas hit hard by F&M, so many Northern markets are concentrating on store sales for the time being.
A further primestock casualty is Bagshaws site in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. Norman Tweddle, of the company, was disappointed, but added:
"It is a blow to lose clean cattle from the auction, but at least we will see dairy, stores and sheep back at Uttoxeter."
Peter Kingwill, chairman of the Livestock Auctioneers Association, said the live market sector had to fight to get finished stock back in the markets.
"It will take time and effort to reactivate primestock auctions. It is a worthwhile challenge and farmers have their part to play. If they hold back from selling deadweight, then abattoirs will have to find animals from somewhere." *
Royston Ford, from Upton Magna, Shrewsbury at Shrewsbury Market on Tuesday, is delighted the live market is open again. "It is the only fair way of setting a price," he says. Prime cattle averaged 84.9p/kg and 300 lambs sold to a top price of £53.20.
• Hope, Staffordshire
• Barnstaple, Devon
• Aylsham, Norfolk
• Penkridge, Staffordshire
• Gowerton, near Swansea
• Ashburton, Devon