Transport rules need relaxing
Transport rules need relaxing
By Simon Wragg
PRODUCERS could suffer from lower auction prices unless regulations governing the movement of livestock to and from markets are relaxed, warn hauliers.
Transport bosses are calling for officials to review rules that prevent drivers loading livestock destined for one abattoir from different market sites on the same day.
Welshpool-based haulage contractor Richard Edwards says the ruling is piling on costs that producers will eventually end up paying.
"It is a ridiculous situation. If a processor from Cornwall buys lambs from Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth markets, which both operate on a Tuesday, we have to send two smaller trailers 250 miles to the plant. It would be more cost effective for all lambs to go on one load.
"The purchaser and haulier are currently sharing the cost, but thats unlikely to continue. Prices for stock are bound to start reflecting the extra charges."
Regulations for the movement of livestock remain fixed, according to DEFRA, although a review of operating procedures is not ruled out as the industry returns to normal after foot-and-mouth.
"Businesses are feeling the pinch," says Mr Edwards. "Its not viable to keep running trailers with partial loads. The rules need to be changed. If livestock are heading for the same destination for slaughter there should be no problem with biosecurity."
In a separate move, auctioneers and hauliers want to see some cleansing and disinfection centres open seven days a week. Auctioneer Mike Walters, a partner in Bridgenorth-based Nock Deighton, says the current five-and-a-half-day operation is restricting stock movement.
"Hauliers moving livestock for farms at weekends are effectively excluded from transporting animals into Monday markets if there are no cleansing and disinfection stations operating," he says.
But Meat and Livestock Commission officials, whose staff man cleansing and disinfection stations, have pledged to provide facilities where demand dictates.
John Heal, MLCs head of operations, says it is committed to helping and not hindering the farming community. "We will respond to demands, but we need to be sure the cost of running a centre on the weekend is justified." *
The MLC operates 200 cleansing and disinfection stations nationwide. Officials are calling for producers, auctioneers and hauliers to co-operate and decide which sites would be of greatest use for seven day operation.
"We operate Monday through to midday Saturday. Sundays have been avoided in the past because of low volumes of traffic, but there is no reason why we cannot call on extra resources if there is demand," says Mr Heal.