RETAILERS MUST NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FMD
The Tenant Farmers Association has welcomed the news that farm animals can now move direct to abattoirs for human consumption but has called on the major retailers not to exploit the current situation by driving down prices.
TFA National Chairman Reg Haydon said, “The complete cessation of all movements of FMD susceptible livestock as soon as FMD was confirmed was a necessary evil. However, I am delighted that movements direct to slaughter are now being allowed, albeit under strict controls. We are continuing to work with DEFRA on arrangements to allow collection centres to operate which will assist those with small loads of animals going for slaughter”.
In light of this good news, the TFA is concerned about reports from its members that meat processors, under pressure from the major retailers, are trying to drive down prices, particularly for lamb.
“I see no reason why the processors and retailers should pay any less for livestock now than what they were paying a week ago before the outbreak of foot and mouth disease occurred. The economics of livestock production are already very marginal for the farmer and any downward pressure on prices will only add to the misery and financial burden facing the industry as a result of the FMD outbreak. It is worth bearing in mind that a 25p/kg fall in the price paid to a farmer for an average 20kg lamb will be a reduction of £5 per lamb – enough to turn a modest profit for most farmers into a loss,” said Mr Haydon.
“I am therefore calling on the likes of Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrison’s not to think about attempting to cash in on the current crisis. Prices are holding at the moment but the market is very fragile. This is against a backdrop of rising prices for lamb on the continent which is sucking in large amounts of lamb from the Irish Republic to meet the current demand. Farmers deserve a sustainable return for what they do and we want to ensure that as many as possible survive this current crisis as this is essential to maintaining our nation’s food security,” said Mr Haydon.
end
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Ref: MR15
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Date: 09 August 2007
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Notes for Editors:
For further information contact Reg Haydon OBE, National Chairman, on 01903 882577 or TFA Chief Executive George Dunn on 0118 930 6130 or 07721 998961 or Rowan Hill, Events & Communications Coordinator, on 0118 9306130.
