Regulation – Forced on Industry
"The NFU is not against technology or innovation. We have to embrace it to move the industry forward but I do not believe that the introduction of compulsory electronic identification and individual recording of sheep will do this," said Alistair Mackintosh, NFU Livestock Board Chairman recently to Glamorgan NFU Cymru members.
At the meeting, held on farm at Ynysybwl, Mr Mackintosh continued, "I am not happy for this regulation to be forced on the industry – I am concerned that technology will become the driver of our industry rather than the market. Our current identification system, based on individual identification and batch recording of sheep, delivers all that is required to help us control the spread of animal diseases."
Mr Mackintosh also visited St Merryn abattoir, in Merthyr Tydfil, he said, "The set up and throughput of the abattoir is impressive and I believe we as farmers have the opportunity to work with the likes of St Merryn to build longer term supply relationships. We have to do something about the volatility in prices that we have experienced in recent times - that is no good to producer or processor. We need to build steady incremental price increases that allows us all to plan with confidence for a future in red meat production.
Commenting on the Bluetongue situation, Mr Mackintosh said, "For me, the needle is the guarantee that my business is protected from this devastating disease. The effect that this disease is having on the livestock industry in France alone is humbling.
"The vaccination regime the French government adopted has failed – the lack of availability of vaccine coupled with high demands on a limited number of vets to administer the vaccine has given the disease the chance to escalate. Latest figures show 19,000 cases of BTv8 and 3,000 cases of BTv1 reported in France. Distressed French farmers would give anything to be in the place the UK is in. We are hopefully ahead of the disease as a result of those farmers who have vaccinated – protecting their own livestock as well as our industry."
Richard Isaac, NFU Cymru County Chairman for Glamorgan said, "Glamorgan saw an early roll out of vaccine, compared to some areas, which benefited us locally, but we are concerned at the comparatively low take up throughout the rest of Wales, as well as the threat that this disease poses to unvaccinated livestock. The message remains clear: Don’t hesitate - Vaccinate."
