Alyn Smith MEP has written to Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan and Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom to raise concerns over the impact a new free trade deal between the EU and Australia/New Zealand could have on the Scottish lamb sector.

The EU is New Zealand's third largest trading partner and, if successful, the free trade agreement would give Australia and New Zealand open access to Europe's 500m customers.

Mr Smyth, Scotland's voice on the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee, said: "New Zealand's primary interest in increasing exports to the EU is in agriculture, and their main agricultural export to the EU, making up over one third of their agricultural exports, is sheep-meat. Indeed, the vast majority of EU sheep-meat imports come from New Zealand.

"I'm no opponent of free trade, but Scotland has a real interest at risk which needs to be protected. Much of our production takes place in remote and economically disadvantaged regions where alternatives to agriculture for economic activity and employment are seriously limited.

"That's why I've written to the Commission to urgently demand more information on the safeguards that will be put in place to prevent the displacement of production and subsequent farm bankruptcies in our rural and remote areas."

PED to become a notifiable disease

Subject to Parliamentary scrutiny, Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea (PED) will be classed as a notifiable disease in Scotland from March 2, 2016 - making it mandatory for pig keepers to report any suspected case of the infection to Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "PED does not affect humans but can be deadly for piglets, and we must do all we can to protect Scotland's £95m pig industry from any potential risks."

Welcoming the move, Kevin Gilbert, chairman of NFU Scotland's pigs Working Group commented: "The threat posed to the health of Scottish pig herds by PEDv is substantial and infection would be a devastating blow to the sector."

Market round-up

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 907 prime hoggs in Newton Stewart yesterday to a top of £91 per head and 213.2p per kg to average 174.8p (-0.5p on the week). That overall average included 329 Blackface hoggs that peaked at £81.20 and 180.6p to level at 173.1p.

There were also 389 cast sheep forward when over-fat ewes were again cheaper on the week. Ewes sold to £92 for Suffolk crosses and £55.50 for Blackfaces.