Sausage scandal

The decision to ban traditional sausage skins was made by what is mistakenly called a 'Stakeholders Committee', which one might reasonably think to comprise independent representatives of those having a stake in the industry; but this particular committee was chaired by Sir John himself and four of his staff sat on it - a perverse mockery indeed.

Richard Machin saw me on Monday and made it clear that the implications for sheep farmers are serious.

Currently, sausage makers will give around £1 per sheep for the intestinal casings, which is the first loss; but consequential to the ban would be the cost of disposal which could be a further £1. To reduce the already very tight margins on sheep production by £2 per head would be serious indeed and all in the name of public health, which doesn't seem to have been unduly affected over the past 2,000 years of eating bangers.

If you want to make your feelings known, write a curt note to Professor Sir John Krebs, Food Standards Agency, Aviation House, 125 Kingsway, London WC2B 62H.

There seem to have been myriad pieces of news this week of which the following are an interesting sample:

New French Government - It shouldn't pass unnoticed that the conservative parties in France have taken more than 350 of the National Assembly's 577 seats with the left condensed to a mere 192 seats.

What this will mean in terms of policy changes we shall have to wait and see; but meantime Ben Gill is pressing hard for the new French government to reconsider lifting its ban on British beef and also to review its shameful illegal proposal to remove the spinal cord in sheep.

Milk Price Cut - Dairy Crest announced last week a new wave of cuts of up to 2p/litre starting from July 1 and this now brings the average price to direct suppliers to around 17p/litre.

When we look back at the halcyon days not so long ago of 25p/litre, it is little wonder that margins have slipped and the dairy herd is contracting, especially in the Yorkshire countryside.

Let's hope the new major review on the dairy industry finds a solution or at least the means of stopping the free fall.

Six-month FABBL qualification - There is now a lot of pressure being put upon FABBL to review its proposal to introduce a six-month qualifying period for Farm Assured cattle as from March next year.

The National Beef Association has firmly said that the six-month period is a step too far and that there will not be enough FA store cattle for feeders who supply supermarkets.

I know there was a FABBL meeting last week and my information is that the decision will be reversed and that the present 90-day period will continue.

Illegal Meat - The European FMD inquiry team is continually being presented with evidence of illegal meat imports. The latest affidavit comes from the Chief Irish Veterinary Officers who clearly suggest that uncontrolled imports of food were more likely to have brought the disease into Europe than a sausage or sandwich carried by an individual tourist.

They estimate that around two tonnes of meat was illegally passing through Dublin airport alone every month.

WI Backs Local Meat - A daunting but positive 4,000 lady members of the Women's Institute gathered in Brighton last week and gave overwhelming support to local meat production. A resolution passed by 98pc of voters urged the Government to support small abattoirs and encourage the availability of locally produced meat.

Perhaps those running our kitchens should have more say in Government!

Castro's Super Cow - Since Soviet subsidies were withdrawn, the past decade has seen a fall in dairy production in Cuba and a scarcity of milk.

Castro's answer is to request help from US scientists to clone a super cow called White Udder that died in 1985. This amazing milking machine on four legs produced up to 24 gallons in a day and a total 305-day lactation record of 24,269 litres. At the end of her life, Castro commissioned a full-sized statue of White Udder which now stands in the town where she once grazed.

Malton Show Next Thursday - Don't forget it is Malton Show at Scampston Park next Thursday, June 27.

Following the summer show last Tuesday, there was a smaller number of cattle forward this week but trade was even stronger.

The overall average through the market was 94p/kilo and this took account of the black and whites et alia.

George Morley produced the top-priced steer at 112p/kilo with Chris Beal nudging ahead with his heifer at 114p/kilo. David Brotherton's bull at 110p was the best in that section but Sid Craggs from Cayton had some excellent prices for his weighty commercial Friesians making up to 90p/kilo.

It is hoped that this sort of level, which is more than competitive, will encourage farmers back into the market.

In the sheep shed, there were nearly 650 to sell and the lamb trade generally has slipped a little.

Average prices throughout the market were 119p/kilo and the top lambs at £56 were produced by Richard Bulmer closely followed by E Fussey and Son at £55.

There was a good showing of 190 ewes up to £42 from T Bannister of Butterwick.

Last Friday's store market saw 65 cattle meet an excellent trade. A batch of Limousin bulls from Richard Benton on green CIDs made £528; some Simmental steers from the Lawsons of Troutsdale on blue cards made £602 and they also sold the best heifers at £522 per head.

Anyone wanting further information please contact the helplines at Malton on 01653 697820/692151 and York on 01904 489731.

Updated: 09:55 Thursday, June 20, 2002