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11/08/07
Consumers across the UK can show their support for livestock farmers
caught in the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) crisis by focusing even
more of their purchasing on home produced meat.
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So says the National Beef Association which is confident
that the public have sympathy for farmers whose businesses are
yet again being strangled by the FMD related animal movement bans
which have deprived them of much needed sales on important export
markets.
“The latest FMD outbreak is a kick in the teeth for farmers who were already
struggling to maintain much needed income in the face of floods and who now face
equally devastating problems caused by sales restrictions imposed by the European
Commission, explained Northumberland livestock farmer and NBA chairman, Duff
Burrell.
“The current position is that all meat produced in the UK can only be sold
on the domestic market and there are quite justifiable fears that powerful supermarkets
and big meat manufacturers will take advantage of this to force down the price
of home produced cattle, sheep and pigs.”
“Even if no more FMD cases are reported meat sales to other countries are
unlikely to kick in until November which means that over the next three months
farmers will be entirely at the mercy of the domestic buyers.”
“During the FMD crisis in 2001 livestock prices plummeted even though there
was no corresponding fall in the price paid for steaks, chops and roasting joints
at retail level and this is why the NBA is asking consumers for their support.”
“If they can focus even more of their buying on British beef, lamb and
pork they will generate more demand for meat produced on British farms and make
it more difficult for supermarkets and other retailers to cash in on farmer despair.”
“Farmers are in real fear that the multiples will take advantage of the
crowding of meat supplies into domestic outlets and make their lives even more
miserable.”
“But if the public back their farmers by demanding only British meat and
also turn their back on imports from the Republic of Ireland, South America,
New Zealand, Denmark and Holland they will be giving the UK’s hard pressed
livestock industry a fighting chance of pulling through this most recent crisis
without suffering even more damage.”
 Foot
and Mouth Disease: Thursley National Nature Reserve Closes
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Relief at Latest FMD Outbreak Scare
Third
Case of FMD Suspected: Temporary control zone established in Surrey
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