New guidelines including a “drop and go” policy have been introduced to ensure livestock markets can continue safe trading after the government imposed a
Livestock auctions will continue despite lockdown by Gemma Mackenzie
FOLLOWING GUIDELINES: Scottish auction marts are to keep functioning during lockdown using stringent protocols.
Scottish livestock auctions will continue during the latest lockdown and farmers and crofters are being encouraged to adopt a “drop and go” selling strategy.
The Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IASS), which represents livestock auctioneers and markets, said the guidelines remained similar to those introduced last year at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Since the first lockdown in March 2020 auction marts have been functioning under stringent protocols to ensure the continued operation of livestock auctions, meaning the supply of quality produce to the food chain has been uninterrupted and cashflows to farmers and other primary producers maintained,” said IAAS executive director Neil Wilson.
What have livestock markets learned from 2020? >More in
Livestock markets will enter 2021 with cautious optimism following a vintage year.
Higher throughputs and prices for prime cattle and lambs, milkers and breeding sheep proved the resilience of the liveweight system.
The sector’s innovation and adaptiveness were demonstrated as markets adjusted to rising butcher and wholesaler demand, and worked within evolving hygiene and social distancing rules.
At a time when Britain’s farmers came to the fore, the markets rallied to help them feed the country,
Farmers Weekly reflects on a remarkable year and what the mart sector has learned.
January/February
By Neale McQuistin The Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland moved quickly yesterday to comment following the sudden EU border restrictions. Executive director Neil Wilson said: “Auction marts and auctioneers across Scotland are continuing to liaise closely with the key industry representatives and the Scottish Government to ensure they remain fully briefed about the supply and demand in the red meat chain during these uncertain times. The impact of the EU border restrictions over the last 24 hours, as well as what might follow with Brexit, will no doubt drive some volatility within the industry, particularly around demand for produce and market prices.
Lorries parked on the M20 in Kent after the Port of Dover was closed after the French government s announcement it will not accept any passengers arriving from the UK. France appears set to end a ban on hauliers crossing the Channel which was imposed FRANCE has shut its borders to UK hauliers for 48 hours in response to the spread of the new coronavirus variant in south-east England. The English Channel is usually busy trade route at Christmas time, with fresh produce shipped back and forth in around 10,000 lorries a day travelling between Dover and Calais. France s shutdown hits both UK exporters sending goods into mainland Europe, and EU produce coming here, as European hauliers may avoid coming to the UK for fear of not being allowed to return.