EGG FEARS

UK FARMING leaders visited Brussels this week, amid rumours that several European Union member states have been asking for an extension to the ban on hen battery cages which will come into force on 1 January.

Charles Bourns, NFU poultry board chairman, and Mark Williams, chief executive of the British Egg Industry Council, met senior members of the commission in Brussels to discuss measures to safeguard the UK market among fears that up to 13 member states will be producing illegal eggs in 2012.

Bourns said: “British egg farmers have spent around £400 million on upgrading their farms to meet new standards All this could be for nothing if they are undercut by cheap imports from countries which are still producing eggs in lower welfare systems.”

THAINSTONE – Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 77 prime cattle. Under 30 month prime bullocks (37) averaged 183p (-1.1p) and sold to 200p per kg and £1,577 gross. Prime heifers (23) averaged 186.4p (+0.1p) and sold to 211p per kg and £1,270.50 gross. Young bulls (six) averaged 170.5p (+2.8p) and sold to 185p per kg and £1,345.20 gross. 30 to 48 month bullocks (four) averaged 152.9p and sold to 174p per kg and £1,218 gross. Heifers (seven) averaged 174.2p (+22.3p) and sold to 183p per kg and £1,167.45 gross. The firm also sold sold 2,784 island sheep. Store lambs (2,441) to £66. Ewe lambs (174) to £74. Ewes (169) to £67. The firm also sold sold 1,037 store cattle and 16 young calves. Bullocks (428) averaged 184.4p (+1.8p) and sold to 222p per kg and £1,340 gross. Heifers (412) averaged 177.1p (+1.7p) and sold to 228.8p per kg and £1,170 gross. Bulls (13) averaged 148.2p and sold to 177.3p per kg and £1,100 gross. Young and weaned calves (16) and sold to £490 gross to average £330. Certified BVD free heifers (184) averaged 208.3p per kg and sold to 324.4p per kg and £1,700 gross.

STIRLING – United Auctions sold 6,917 prime sheep including 5,550 lambs averaging 165.3p/kg (+2p) and 1,417 ewes and rams. Lambs sold to £85 and to 200p, ewes to £108 and rams to £89.50.

ST BOSWELLS – Johns Swan Ltd sold 7,096 head at their fortnightly sheep sale. Ewes sold to £126, gimmers to £160 and store lambs to £68.80.

DUMFRIES – The Cumberland & Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart held their fortnightly sale of store sheep with 1,140 feeding lambs forward. Lambs – Texel (277) averaged £57.25, Mule (226) averaged £51, NCC (164) averaged £56, Beltex (85) averaged £68.60, Lleyn (181) averaged £48.47, Blackface tup lambs (207) averaged £39.88. The firm held a sale of organic status lambs selling to £57.