Alyn Smith, SNP MEP, today called for an all-out ban on imports of eggs and egg products from laying hens housed in battery cages as of January 1, 2012.
His call comes in response to reports which suggest that, despite a 12-year phase-in period, some member states will not have completed the change-over to enriched cages by the deadline. Meanwhile, Scotland’s farmers have invested and complied with the new legislation.
Mr Smith has called for the European Commission to launch swift and effective infraction proceedings with heavy and dissuasive fines if there is a lack of compliance with all the elements of the directive on January 1.
He has also called for the Commission to underline the necessity of a full intra-community trade ban for all eggs not in compliance at the time of full implementation.
In order to stiffen the Commission’s resolve, Mr Smith has called on the UK to implement a full pre-emptive ban on imports to the British market if an EU ban on substandard eggs is not forthcoming.
Market round-up
Lawrie and Symington held their inaugural show and sale of Blackface wether lambs and the second Blackface ewe lamb sale in Lanark on Wednesday.
The Championship went to a pen of 30 Blackface wethers from DW Telfer, Woodend, Lamington that realised £64.50. The reserve was awarded to Professor HJA Strachan, Glenkirk, that sold for £58.50. Overall the 1395 Blackface wethers averaged £46.08 (+£3.45 on the year). The 1315 Blackface ewe lambs peaked at £112 for a pen from Darnhunch and averaged £58.72 (+£4.47).
The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart had 44 prime cattle forward at their weekly sale in Dumfries on Wednesday.
Heifers sold to 215.5p per kg and averaged 186.3p, while bullocks peaked at 187.5p and levelled at 180.2p.
There were 125 OTM cattle forward in the rough ring with beef cows averaging 126.2p, while dairy cows levelled at 105.9p.
Over in the sheep ring 1607 prime lambs were easier on the week selling to £78 per head and 172p per kg to average 162.4p.
There were also 1017 cast sheep forward with heavy ewes selling to £92 for Texels and averaging £63.35, while light ewes peaked at £64 for Cheviots and levelled at £44.87.
United Auctions sold 885 store bullocks at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 226p and an average of 184.7p (+1.5p), while 572 store heifers peaked at 219.5p and levelled at 181.1p (+0.5p).
In the rough ring 156 cows averaged 121.3p.
The firm also had 4794 store lambs forward. Top prices and averages: Suffolks £71 and £58.21 (-£2.89 on the week); Texels £66 and £57.25 (+£1.81); Cheviot £65 and £56.28 (+£1.56); Blackface £60 and £40.58 (-£4.17); Mules to £59 and averaged £55.15 (+£1.74).
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