DEFRA gives go-ahead for more sheep sales
DEFRA gives go-ahead for more sheep sales
By James Garner
STORE and breeding sheep sales are to be given the go-ahead from May 15, after a government announcement this week that livestock movement restrictions are to be relaxed.
DEFRAs latest plans are the next stage in dismantling the interim movement measures before more permanent rules are introduced this autumn, and are the first changes since livestock auctions for prime cattle and sheep, and store cattle, were allowed to resume on Feb 11.
The first sales under the new rules are not expected to take place until May 17 at the earliest, says a DEFRA spokesman. But the guidelines do allow the sheep industry to return to a more traditional selling pattern, even though the much-hated 20-day rule remains in place until August at least, much to the chagrin of the industry.
And there are some big changes for markets, which must now choose between holding slaughter-only sales, where animals must be sold direct to slaughter and are prevented from returning home, or sales that allow animals to move to other venues and not just to the abattoir.
A market sale on this "general" footing will trigger the 20-day standstill rule for those farms buying-in and selling stock and all sheep moving to this type of market will require a license to travel.
Sheep will also be licensed in batches at the market, although movement after sale will be allowed under a general license. This will allow animals to be traced before and after sale.
Kevin Pearce, livestock adviser at the NFU, says the changes are a step in the right direction, although there are some fundamental measures that still need addressing.
"We will continue to work towards a long-term package on movements the industry can work with and this will not contain the 20-day standstill."
He also says the sheep licensing system will need urgent attention. The Livestock Auctioneers Association, agrees, and predicts there will be problems when sheep are taken to markets without a licence.
But David Brown, secretary of the association, does not expect many markets to hold slaughter-only sales for cattle and sheep, even though markets can hold both types of sale, on separate days, in the same week.
"It simply wont work and will only dilute the numbers of fatstock passing through markets, as it will only be units under a 20-day standstill that will use them.
"Slaughterhouses are not renowned for their generosity and if a beast must go straight to slaughter they can bid whatever they like for it and farmers cant take it home."
John Thorley, chief executive of the National Sheep Association, says he hopes further reforms can be negotiated by August, before the bulk of the breeding ewe and store sheep sales.
"There is still a lot unravelling to be done, including the 20-day rule, but DEFRA has done its best to meet this date." *
• Store and breeding sheep sales resume.
• Sheep movements under individual license.
• Batch identification of sheep from markets.
• Markets can hold slaughter-only sales.
• 20-day standstill remains.