MAFFattacked

4 December 1998

MAFFattacked

A COW quota trader has hit out at MAFF rules, claiming they push prices up.

GB lowland quota was changing hands for about £65 as the Dec 6 deadline for submitting claim forms approached, says Chris Jones of McCartneys. A contributory factor to the "record" prices, he says, was the limited supplies resulting from MAFFs minimum transfer rule, which left farmers with more than 25 units unable to sell or lease in lumps of less than five units.

As the trading period draws to a close, a lot of people find they have less than five units to lease out or sell, and are unable to, says Mr Jones. The rule can also thwart the plans of those looking to expand on a small-scale, he adds. &#42