Retailers and consumers not practicing what they preach

Given current concerns about sheep identification and double tagging, Edmund Bailey, NFU Cymru Vice President and sheep farmer from Merionethshire, is using today's National Sheep Association (NSA) Wales Sheep Event to appeal to farmers, auctions, abattoirs and Local Authorities to do all they can to abide by current regulations in order to extend the current derogation Welsh farmers have from the double tagging of sheep.

Over the last fortnight, NFU Cymru has been in discussion with the Welsh Assembly, Defra and the EC over the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) visit to the UK. Edmund Bailey said, "It is essential that a further derogation from double tagging is granted as anything else is without a doubt unworkable in Wales. However, I urge everyone to abide by current requirements so that the present system is seen, in practice, to be working."

At a time when market prices have seen a slump due to discounted imports, some 55% of lamb was imported in March alone; NFU Cymru is calling on both retailers and consumers to be more discerning in their purchases. Edmund Bailey said, "Everyone purports to be concerned about climate change, food miles and local food procurement but they do not practice what they preach."

Sheep farmers are also faced with increased costs in terms of fallen stock disposal. From June 2007, the discount to farmers for the collection of fallen stock under the National Fallen Stock Scheme will reduce from 35% to just 10%.

Similarly, the shearing season has begun and the cost to shear sheep is again likely to outweigh the return for the product. However, following NFU Cymru representations earlier this year to the Home Office, at least shearers from the Southern hemisphere will be able to work in the UK as working permit regulations, which would have deterred shearing gangs from abroad, were overturned.

There is particular concern for the health and welfare of Welsh livestock, as products to further improve standards, face withdrawal. The EC has proposed suspending Formaldehyde, which forms the basis for Formalin, used for footrot and scald.

Edmund Bailey said, "Formalin is an integral part of any flock health plan to prevent and cure lameness which is both a welfare and an economic problem. NFU Cymru's concern has been drawn to the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales that there is a need for alternative products to be made available before they are withdrawn, if flockmasters are not to be left in a vacuum."