THE good ladies of DEFRA who look after our market have given the go-ahead for the early sheep sale, which is now set for Friday August 2.

This is good news, and we are going to hold it on the market premises which will mean that the restrictions are the same as for any normal store sale.

We shall have the added advantage of having the washing-out facilities available and, of course, the opportunity of going under cover if the weather turns against us.

We are looking forward to a good entry and hope this advance notice will allow producers of breeding sheep to get together a healthy entry.

Following on into the autumn we have also got provisional permission to hold the Michaelmas Fair on the showfield, but with the washing-out facilities to be again used at the market.

Officially, the Michaelmas Fair will be regarded as an extension of our market operation and as such should present as few problems as possible.

The Michaelmas Fair is planned for Wednesday October 2.

The other moor sales will be considered over the next month or so and, if at all practicable, we shall do our best to maintain the tradition but in order to do so we shall need optimum support from everyone.

Nevertheless, the early sheep sale for August 2 is a good start

As I told you a week or two, ago the Food Standards Agency is to undertake a review of the "over 30 month" rule which prohibits meat from cattle over 30 months of age entering the food chain. The next stage has now been announced, which will comprise a meeting in London, on Tuesday, July 2, at 10.30am. Sir John Krebs will be in the chair and explain how he proposes to conduct the review, taking the concerns of stake holders into account.

With the incidence of BSE falling dramatically in the UK, it does seem a complete waste of food and public money that none of the beef from cows can be eaten.

In fact, prior to 1996 it was one of our more valuable meat exports to the continent and if the French can be persuaded to behave properly then it would be another opportunity for us.

Sometimes I wonder what DEFRA's long-term objectives are and as to whether farming features anywhere in them.

Its latest decision not to alter the 20-day movement rule until mid-August seems quite unreasonably cautious and will cause a lot of heartache when the sheep season starts in a month's time.

It is quite clear that a country is officially declared free of the disease if there is no confirmed case for three months; and therefore the UK reached that position by January 2 this year.

Despite this clinical fact, which is accepted throughout the world, we are still under prison-like restrictions six months down the line.

It is very difficult to conceive how there can be any infection left in the country from the last outbreak and certainly not in pigs which, by definition, are species intensively managed and in which signs of the disease are easy to spot.

The only real danger is from a new source of disease brought into this country through infected meat, and no meaningful action has been taken in this regard at all. It really is scandalous, and if new Labour isn't careful there will be a mini rural rebellion.

With the early sheep sale now agreed, and reduced numbers forecast for the next couple of months, the auctioneers have decided to go fortnightly with their store markets.

Please note with immediate effect that the following dates will apply for the Friday markets over the next two months:

June 28

July 12

July 26

August 2 - Early Sheep Sale

August 9

August 23

September 6

Thereafter, we shall probably return to a weekly sale but will play it according to demand.

A few bits and pieces from the news this week

Tesco drops milk price - With arrogant disregard for its suppliers, Tesco has dropped the price on organic milk this week by 10p a litre or 6p a pint.

As organic milk is a premium product, there is no research evidence which suggests that lowering the price will increase the sales and the danger is that Tesco's action will have a domino effect upon an already weak market.

Farmers Market - Don't forget the farmers market is at Malton this Saturday where you can get stocked up with proper local produce.

On Sunday, July 21, Steve Smith is staging another motor show in the town and has asked if we can put on a special farmers market down Wheelgate.

We are going to try and do this, so put a date in your diary.

Possible Loss of EU Money - Robert Sturdy and Robert Goodwill are two Yorkshire MEPs who have issued a warning that the UK may lose the EU's contribution to our FMD compensation, due to the whole raft of incompetence being revealed in the current inquiry.

There has been so much mis-management and excessive expenditure that the EU rules may not permit paying over its share to the UK in sums involved around £600m.

No wonder Mr Blair fought shy of a proper public inquiry!

Slowly but surely the market is fighting its way back, and each week sees one of our old clients coming back into the ring. Now is certainly the time to give the auction system a try, as trade is pretty buoyant and very competitive.

There were 82 cattle on Tuesday, including a few OTMS cows.

The best steer was a superb home-bred heavyweight from David Jackson of Carnaby which made 123p per kilo before going to Steve Hibberd who, by the way, has been a staunch supporter since we opened up.

Chris Dale of Thorpe Basset had a heifer which made 122p per kilo, and I don't believe any one would go home dissatisfied from the cattle ring.

We had about 675 sheep to sell, with trade up to 126p per kilo achieved by Steve Stonehouse.

The best ewes came from Chris Beal at £52.50

On the deadweight front, we are still trading every week and R grade cattle have now lifted, with prices going forward from 165-176p per kilo and premiums thereafter.

It is important not to under-sell your stock at the moment, so give us a ring if you want some help.

Help us to help you and phone our helplines at Malton on (01653) 692151 and York on (01904) 489731

Updated: 10:02 Thursday, June 27, 2002