WITH the absence of both James Stephenson and his usual stand-in reporter, Charlie Breese, this weeks column has been left to the novices in the Malton office.

Last week saw the Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP setting out her stall for the new Government Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The new department's aims are stated in classic government language, namely: to enhance the quality of life through promoting better environment, thriving economies and communities, diversity and abundance of wildlife resources, a countryside for all to enjoy and sustainable and diverse farming and food industries that work together and meet the needs of the consumers - clear?

In agriculture terms, DEFRA will have to try and define "sustainable and diverse farming". To ensure we do have a sustainable agricultural industry it is vital that the relevant arm of DEFRA promotes British produce to the full and outlines the importance to consumers to buy British, if farming is to be the key to the starting point of the food chain as stated by Margaret Beckett.

I also see Margaret Beckett's role in Europe as vital and I only hope she has more about her than previous ministers when negotiating our trading position with other European agriculture ministers. We all now await with hope.

I read in the farming press last week that the Government has accepted the need for an inquiry into foot and mouth disease after Mr Blair and Mr Brown had ruled out the need for a full inquiry, which all came across as very suspicious.

It is unlikely that this inquiry will be carried out until the eradication of the disease. In my opinion, it is important that there is an independent public inquiry which is carried out promptly in order that we understand how the disease was brought into the country, how the Government has handled the crisis and the need for some definitive contingency plans for the future; in the hope that all rural industries will never have to suffer another year like 2001.

The latest FMD statistics to date are that there are 1,788 confirmed cases. The number of animals slaughtered for disease control purposes has now almost reached 3.4m which is an increase of 1m in the last six weeks. A further 1.1m animals have been slaughtered under the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme.

The percentage of each species slaughtered are approximately 80pc sheep, 16pc cattle, and 4pc pigs.

Last week, it was announced by Margaret Beckett to the House of Commons that there would be two changes to the rules on the movement of livestock as follows:

- The licensed movement of livestock (cattle, sheep and pigs) from within an infected area direct to an approved abattoir in another infected area, subject to the movement not exceeding 250km and that stock must not enter or travel through a provisionally free area for any reason.

- Secondly, cattle and pigs only from outside infected areas will be permitted to move, under licence, into provisionally free areas on welfare grounds.

For those of you hoping for some positive news on the over 30-months scheme, I am afraid to say we seem no further forward for a resumption date.

All the rendering plants which were used for the OTMS Scheme are currently being used for FMD and it is doubtful the Government will change this policy.

There is currently a backlog of 170,000 to 200,000 cattle and further delay could cause welfare problems on farms as autumn calving approaches.

I have read that if the scheme was resumed immediately to full capacity, it would take up to three months to reduce the backlog.

Changes To Arable Area Aid Rules:

For farmers claiming arable area aid there have been further rule changes of which you should have received correspondence from MAFF dated June 2001.

Briefly the rule changes are as follows:

- Due to unfavourable weather conditions, there is an exemption to the general requirement that an eligible crop must reach flowering stage in order for land to qualify for arable area aid payment.

- The crop may therefore be used for grazing or the making of silage without the loss of aid.

- Anyone adversely affected by foot and mouth disease may apply for permission to graze and/or cut the grass on their set-aside land.

Please note the above changes to the rules are subject to a written derogation being granted by the ministry. Anybody wanting further advice on the rule changes, or how to apply for a derogation, please contact David Lindley (01653) 692151.

Cattle - Paul Morse has reported that there is still reasonable demand for cattle and anybody wishing to sell or needing an update on price please contact Paul.

Sheep - The last few days has seen a dramatic drop in sheep trade, and prices have fallen almost 20p/kilo deadweight between Monday and Wednesday. Prices being achieved for sheep are between 185p 200p/kilo deadweight.

Pigs - There is still demand for pigs and we have seen a steady increase over the last couple of weeks with prices between 105p-114p/kilo being achieved dependant on weight.

We are still operating the collection centre at York on a Monday where over 100 head of cattle were placed on Monday.

Anybody wishing to sell stock through the collection, please contact us on (01653) 692151.

This Saturday sees the market host the monthly farmers market and I am informed there should be a record number of stalls offering home-reared meat, home baking, locally grown fruit and vegetables and locally made crafts.

There is also the usual fur and feather auction followed by garden requisites and a special sale of trees and shrubs.

Please come and support local businesses.

Updated: 09:31 Thursday, June 28, 2001