IT is with great concern this week that we read in the farming press that government ministers are considering whether a 20-day standstill rule should become permanent.

Lord Whitty is reported to say that, in his opinion, if the rule remains and becomes part of a permanent regime, certain sectors of the farming industry could be wiped out. The decision by ministers is likely to be made by the end of the year, with the implementation of their decision put in place by February 2003.

As livestock auctioneers, it is vital that this 20-day standstill is reduced in order that the farmer has more control in the marketing of his stock. With the autumn sale calendar now under way, it is vital for hill farmers to be able to sell and replace stock in a short period of time. With the current rules, this is unworkable unless the farmer has an approved isolation area and this costs money to implement and is hard to come by. The farmer also wanting to bring fatstock into market again is tied by these rules, therefore in a falling market the buyer is in complete control.

The State Veterinary Service is all for keeping the 20-day standstill and, in my opinion, appear over-paranoid. The question must be asked whether we have foot and mouth or not? The last case was almost 12 months ago. Currently, it seems easier to trace livestock than humans! We also still allow the importation of beef from all parts of the globe, including countries in which foot and mouth is prevalent.

In my opinion, DEFRA needs to look at these rules on the ground, and speak to the people who have to live with the current restrictions, in order that a practical solution can be resolved - I doubt very much whether this will happen. Please take time to lobby your local MP

I read last week the shocking facts comparing farmgate prices to those on the supermarket shelf. The NFU suggests that some cereal farmers receive just 8pc of the price of a loaf of bread, even though wheat is the main ingredient. Other prices quoted by the NFU are as follows, with the supermarket price in bold type:Beef topside £1.72/kg (£6.58); bacon 96p/kg (£6.97); milk 9p/pint (36p).

Considering the work involved to produce these commodities, the margin must be brought further into line if farming is to continue into the next generations. Please keep buying British.

We are now well into the autumn sales programme and it will be good to be back on top of Blakey Ridge to carry out the 43rd annual sale of sheep on Saturday, September 28. We have had a good entry of over 2,500, which comprise 1,500 breeding sheep and 1,000 store lambs. We thank vendors for their continued support.

Anyone requiring further information please contact Philip Place or Paul Morse on (01653) 692151. The sale commences at 11.30am.

Entries for the Malton Michaelmas Sale continue to come in and anybody wishing to make any late entries please contact the above as soon as possible.

It is now fast approaching Sunday when the countryside will descend on London. If you are unable to attend, please would you register your views on the website: www.march-info.org. Apologies for the error in last week's website address, we were informed that it downloaded some undesirable material.

Tuesday's market saw a balanced class of stock on offer, with 101 cattle forward including 30 OTMs and 543 sheep. Good to see Brian Gray from Fryup back in town with his 515 kilo Limousin bullock to Rowland Agar at 114.5p/kilo and Christopher Beal's heavy bullock 690 kilos at 104.5p/kilo to Steve Hibberd.

George Marwood dominated the heifer section, with the best heifer weighing 580 kilos at 133.5p/kilo sold to Messrs Radford of Sleights, followed by a Blonde heifer of 465 kilos to Roland Agar at 127.5p/kilo.

An improved show of bulls met a more regular trade, with a lightweight bull from Johnny Blacklock at 485kilos sold at 109.5p/kilo to Norman Bramall and Edward Hardwick's heavyweight bull of 660 kilos which went at 111.5p/kilo to Steve Hibberd. Martin Marshall from Pockley had a fine pen of well finished bulls from 96-100p/kilo.

Norman Bramall had everyone in total confusion by bidding on the blind side out of sight of the opposition and almost out of sight of the auctioneer! Norman is still in charge and continues to tidy up a few stragglers from local farms on his way home.

As Norman said in F&M times, referring to "trim", all we cut off is "ead" at our spot and the rest goes over the scale. Unlike some other fine establishments.

David Hairsine from Rudston had a fine pen of 46kg Texel lambs at £46.20 sold to the Cleveland Meat Company and a fine pen of lambs from the Steads at Lockton 54 kilos sold at £51 to Frank Turner of Rillington.

Big ewes are still worth £45-6 as David Burkill will confirm and horned ewes were to £16 from Robin Mackley.

Monday, sadly, saw the loss of another livestock haulier when Geoff Young from Stainton, Middlesbrough, collapsed and died at the wheel of his truck. Geoff was a splendid chap.

This week's report was by David Lindley

Updated: 08:59 Thursday, September 19, 2002