The committee agreed that there remain grave doubts over the practical implications of the implementation of the individual ID regulation. It recommended the issue should be referred urgently to the Agriculture Committee for an opinion on the matter and there could be a full Parliament debate as early as January.
SNP MEP Alyn Smith spoke in support of the primary petitioners, the National Sheep Association’s George Milne and Nigel Miller from NFU Scotland.
Speaking after the meeting Smith said: “This was an unexpected hit. I’ll be honest I had expected a pretty lukewarm response from the committee given that we are now barely 30 days from the implementation deadline, but I was delighted that they accepted my case that we should turn the spirit of the petition into a call for a review, with teeth, of how the implementation works out.”
Market report round-up
Lawrie and Symington’s sale of store cattle at Lanark on Tuesday saw bullocks sell to a top of 187.7p/kg for 392kg Limousin crosses and averaged 161.7p. Heifers sold to a top of 191.5p/kg for 248kg Limousin crosses and averaged 161.6p.
Caledonian Marts sold 2138 prime lambs at Stirling on Tuesday to average 178.3p/kg (+13.4p on the week) to 220.1p for a pen of Beltex.
662 ewes sold to £86.50 for Texels and Half Breds and averaged £55.19. Suffolk crosses sold to £85, Cheviots £71, Mules £70.50 and Blackfaces £56.
Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart held their weekly sale yesterday when trade for 65 prime cattle was sharper on the week. Prime bullocks sold to 180.5p/kg and averaged 160.6p, whilst heifers sold to 200p/kg and averaged 170.9p. The 84 OTM saw beef cows sell to 151p/kg and average 104.2p, whilst dairy cows sold to 92p/kg and averaged 80.5p.
The 1019 prime lambs met the dearest trade of the season for a very mixed show selling to a top of 201p/kg or £80.20 for Beltex crosses. Overall average was 171.2p. Light lambs (25.5-32kg) sold to a top of 169p to average 167.4p, standard lambs (32.1-39kg) to 188p to average 173.2p, medium lambs (39.1-45.5kg) to 201p to average 173.6p, heavy lambs (45.6-52kg) sold to 195p and averaged 163.6p, whilst super heavy lambs (52.1kg+) sold to 143p and averaged 140p.
Trade for ewes and rams were dearer again on the week selling to £84.50 for Texels, £74 for Crosses, £68.50 for Leicesters, and £58 for Blackfaces.
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