23/08/07
Livestock will make a welcome return to the pens at Skipton Auction
Mart on Monday (August 27), as the mart was given the go-ahead
from midnight on Wednesday to resume trading as a collection centre
and stage slaughter-only markets.
Skipton Auction Pens
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It’s good news for both the mart and the region’s
agricultural community, who have been at a standstill as a result
of the national ban on the movement of livestock following last
month’s foot and mouth outbreak.
The next two Mondays will see slaughter-only markets for prime
cattle and sheep taking place, while following the announcement
of the official easing of restrictions on September 8, the aim
is to run normal Monday cattle, sheep and calves sales after this
date, along with other regular shows and sales.
In addition, dairy cattle auctions will also take place each Monday
from September 10 as the mart bids to make up lost ground.
In the interim, the September 1 Agri-Trader Auction and show and
sale of poultry and waterfowl will go ahead as planned, though
the annual show of rare, minority and native breeds animals, which
normally takes place on the same day, will be rearranged for a
later date.
Special arrangements are also being put in place for Tuesday, September
11, the date for the annual show and sale of gimmer lambs on behalf
of the North of England Mule Sheep Association. This will now be
preceded by a show and sale of shearling sheep, so enabling prospective
mule gimmer lamb purchasers to sell shearlings beforehand. Up to
9,000 sheep are expected to pass through Skipton that day.
Vendors of shearlings will have a second opportunity on Tuesday,
September 18, to sell their stock at the scheduled annual show
and sale of shearling gimmers
Before then on Wednesday, September 12, up to 1,000 cattle are
due at the mart for the annual sale of store cattle, suckler breeding
cattle and young bulls, to be followed on Thursday, September 13,
by the rearranged annual sale of pedigree Beltex sheep on behalf
of the Beltex Sheep Society, to be complemented by an additional
store lambs sale.
This month’s postponed annual summer sale of working sheep
dogs has now been rescheduled for Friday, August 31, and because
it still can’t be staged at the mart because of continuing
restrictions will now take place on the Trawden Show sheepdog trials
field at Great Thorn Edge Farm, by kind permission of Skipton mart
regular Ronnie Airey.
Late summer and autumn is a busy time at Skipton and other high
profile shows and sales will proceed as planned, alongside regular
markets.
Jeremy Eaton, general manager at Skipton Auction Mart, said: “The
resumption of trading is good news all-round as there are a lot
of farmers across the region who haven’t sold any livestock
for over a month.
“The next hurdle we face is the outcome of the meeting to
discuss the lifting of export restrictions on meat products from
the UK to the EU – a decision is expected this Friday. A
fundamental part of the success of slaughter-only markets depends
on a positive outcome from this meeting.
“Should export restrictions remain in place, this will cause
major problems as we deal with many customers who send the majority
of their livestock for export.”
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