IN BRIEF

30 October 1998

IN BRIEF

&#8226 THE British Pig Industry Support Group is holding a rally at Driffield Agricultural Society Showground, East Yorks, on Wed (Nov 4) to plan the groups future strategy in its fight to keep British pig farmers in business.

BPISG speakers will outline progress so far, but will stress that much remains to be done with some supermarkets continuing to buy imported pigmeat. The rally will begin at 4pm. Speeches will be followed by a hog roast.

&#8226 COMPENSATION in Novem- ber for sheep or goats compulsorily slaughtered because they are suspected to have scrapie will be £15.53 if the disease is confirmed at post mortem. Non-confirmed cases will be compensated either at the same rate or, if the owner can produce evidence, at market value up to £400.

&#8226 MAFF expects to spend just under £1.5m in the current financial year on vehicle replacements, junior farm minister Elliot Morley said in a parliamentary written answer. Plans for future years have yet to be finalised.