A tersely-worded joint press release indicated that talks were taking place between SBCA chairman John Bell and NBA Scottish regional chairman Iain Mather. The latter yesterday did not wish to disclose anything further, but said they agreed the Scottish beef industry would be better served by one lobby organisation than two. He put no timescale on the talks, but there is a feeling that he is due to stand down in the near future and would like to seethe issue resolved before then.