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New abattoir contracts could slow OTMS cull

- 09 December 1999
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By Simon Wragg


FARMERS could face increased delays in getting cattle on to the over 30 months scheme following the issuing of new abattoir contracts which come into force in January.


Only 16 of the 29 abattoirs currently approved will continue to be licensed with four new outlets joining the ranks, though OTMS throughput will only fall slightly to 15,700 cattle a week.


Likely to be worst hit is the north-east with the loss of Harrogate-based Nidderdale Foods weekly kill of 500 head.


That leaves a huge gap in the map, says Derek Tyson of Northallerton mart.


Sending 120 cattle on the scheme each week, he said: “Our waiting list is currently a week, but who knows after the New Year. Well just have to wait and see.”


Culls will be diverted to several other plants in the west, but allocations have yet to be agreed, adds Mr Tyson.


“It will depend on talks, but marts joining existing OTMS abattoir lists are likely to go to the bottom of the pile.”


Helen Hammond of York Livestock Centre agrees. “If you wanted to get culls away at this Mondays market, we could have taken them under current arrangements. But how long these will last I couldnt say.”


Markets may be forced to operate separate days for OTMS stock to match kill days in far-off plants. “That is likely to add to market costs,” she adds.


The south-west will also be hit with the loss of several abattoirs in key areas increasing many journey times and travelling costs for farmers.


However, for farmers in the south-east, auctioneer Mark Cleverdon at Ashford hopes waiting lists – currently two to three weeks – will not alter greatly.


“Were now fully booked until 11 January. We have a good relationship with the main abattoir, Anglo Dutch, but I think delays should be no worse than last year.”


Welsh and Scottish markets also suggest little will alter if the change-over is carried out smoothly.


In other areas, numbers of cattle waiting to go on the scheme will build unless the changeover and reallocation of markets to new plants goes smoothly.


“Farmers could help themselves and others by not double-booking stock in one or more outlet. If you get them away early elsewhere, let us know,” requests Gerald Stafford of Rugby Livestock.


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