Union leaders urge farmers to hold their nerve

The fundamentals on the British beef market remain strong and demand across Europe for beef remains buoyant. Farmers are urged to hold their nerve at a time when seasonal circumstances are proving challenging - This was the clear message from a meeting of the UK and Irish farming unions held at the Royal Welsh Show last week.

The livestock farm leaders from Wales, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Eire were unanimous in the view that there will be a more favourable market balance from tighter prime cattle supplies in the second half of 2006 compared with last year.

Speaking following the meeting, NFU Cymru Livestock board chairman Ed Rees said, "The unions reinforced their earlier message that the EU Commission should prevent third country beef imports, which are unable to demonstrate the same high level of standards and traceability as those applied within Europe, entering the European market. A specific concern over the damning EU food and veterinary report has led farmer representatives to insist that the EU Commission impose a ban on substandard beef products immediately.

"We also agreed to establish a UK unions' sheep working group to improve the transparency and terms of trade in the lamb sector, with particular emphasis on a standard carcass dressing specification and a more equitable hot to cold carcass weight rebate."

With the collapse in the WTO trade negotiations, livestock farm leaders said that the massive threat to extensive livestock production in the UK and Ireland had been averted for the present.


Ed Rees added, "Environmental and food safety must be on the top of future trade talks. Trade negotiators must be held accountable for their actions which lead to environmental degradation and a lowering of food safety standards, both of which are of great concern to consumers."

The discussions were led by Ed Rees (NFU Cymru), Thomas Binns (NFU), Nigel Miller (NFUS), Harry Sinclair (UFU) and John Bryan (IFA).