With the prospect of a ‘no deal’ Brexit getting closer by the day the Scottish government and NFU Scotland have both condemned the latest version of the UK government’s tariff schedule.
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “When the 'no deal' tariffs were first announced back in March, there was no consultation with the Scottish Government or business. That approach has been repeated seven months later, with these announcements.
“Our agricultural sector is particularly at risk without the protection of tariffs or quantitative restrictions. For example, we have specifically called for the proposed tariff rate quota for beef to be reduced, and for domestic egg production to be protected. Those concerns have been ignored.
“The UK Government’s own No Deal Readiness Report baldly states that if the UK leaves without a deal then for the first time in a generation we will face the EU’s Common External Tariff. With tariffs including around 65% on fresh boneless beef, around 53% on fresh bone-in lamb this will devastate key sectors of the Scottish economy.
NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick commented: “It is hugely disappointing that, since the damaging tariff schedule was first published in March, repeated warnings from NFU Scotland and fellow farming Unions have been ignored and the government has opted to persist with a schedule that, in the event of a ‘no deal’, will hammer many sectors of Scottish agriculture”.
Market round-up
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 10 prime heifers at Ayr on Tuesday to 235p/kg and an average of 213p or £1148, while a single bullock sold to 208p or £1238.
In the rough ring 59 cast beef cows sold to £1290 and 165p to average 115p, while 82 cast dairy cows peaked at £960 and 108p to level at 84p. Eleven cast bulls sold to £1260 for a Charolais and 128p for a Limousin to average 101p, while 8 Clean, OTM cattle peaked at £1050 or 167p for the same heifer to level at 124p overall.
Eleven dairy cattle sold to £1900 for a young Holstein Friesian cow and to £1880 for a Holstein Friesian heifer.
Lawrie & Symington held their fortnightly sale of 673 store cattle at Lanark on Tuesday. Bullocks peaked at £1160 for a British Blue and to 207p/kg for an Aberdeen Angus to average 192p. Heifers topped at £1065 for a Limousin cross and to 206p for a Limousin to level at 188p. Dairy bullocks topped at £795 for a Holstein Friesian and to 153p to average 136p.
C&D Auction Marts Ltd had forward 6,768 store lambs and feeding ewes at Longtown on Tuesday.
Store lambs sold to a top of £71 for Texels and Beltex. Hill Cheviots (1,454) topped at £63 and Blackfaces (2,075) peaked at £57.
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