The David MacBrayne Group, which comprises the principal operators of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services and the Northern Isles ferry services, today (Thursday, October 1) published its Annual Report for 2008/09.
The Annual Report includes the company’s main subsidiaries, CalMac Ferries Ltd and NorthLink Ferries Ltd, together with Cowal Ferries Ltd, which operates between Gourock and Dunoon,
David MacBrayne Group Chairman Peter Timms said: "The most notable issues for us in 2008/09 were increased fuel costs, which rose by nearly 37% compared with the previous year, and the introduction of the Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) pilot in the Western Isles. Both had a direct impact on the support we required from the Scottish Government, which rose by 30.8% to £89.6m.
Mr Timms said the Group recorded a profit before tax of £3.8m, revenue from fares and other sources was £80.1m while operating costs at £166.7m were largely in line with expectations with the notable exception of marine fuel costs.
In his foreword to the report, which was laid before the Scottish Parliament today, Mr Timms
reported that the group had carried a total of 5.4 million passengers, 1.2 million cars and 1.4 million metres of freight.
He said that traffic carryings in all categories on the Clyde and Hebrides routes showed decreases ranging from 2% to 7% compared with the previous year, but said this was due in part to the fact that the traditionally busy Easter period fell outwith this financial year whereas two Easter periods fell within the previous financial year.
Passenger and car carryings on the Northern Isles routes showed decreases of 3% and 4% respectively, while freight carryings increased by some 25%, mainly as a result of the impact of exceptionally high fish landings in Shetland.
All companies performed satisfactorily for reliability and punctuality.
Mr Timms also made reference to a major study which was conducted during the year comparing passenger and crew comfort levels on mono-hull and multi-hull ship designs, following suggestions that hi-speed catamarans should be introduced on some of its routes.
“The study by Strathclyde University reached the decisive conclusion that mono-hull designs demonstrated considerably better sea-keeping characteristics in terms of acceptable passenger and crew comfort in all of the measured parameters in the sea conditions on the routes which we operate throughout the year and, in addition, that mono-hull designs provide superior vessel manoeuvrability,” he said.
The results of the study have been fed into the Scottish Government’s Ferry review which is looking at future vessel needs.
Looking to the future, he said: ”The Group continues to build on its strengths, focusing on maintaining and, where possible, improving safety, comfort and quality of service to our customers, whilst endeavouring to control costs with a view to providing best value for customers and the taxpayer.”
The Annual Report of the David MacBrayne Group is available on the CalMac website (www.calmac.co.uk/annualreports.html)
Friday, 2 October 2009
THE ROYAL NATIONAL MOD LIVE FROM OBAN ON BBC ALBA
BBC ALBA is delighted to announce that for the second year running, it will be broadcasting daily programmes live from The Royal National Mod.
The Mod, organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach, is the Gaelic community’s most prestigious celebration of arts, music, culture and language and this year’s festival takes place in Oban, the hometown of the first ever Mod back in 1892.
BBC Gàidhlig will be producing a premier package of live hour-long programmes covering the daily highlights throughout the festival from Monday 12 to Friday 16 October.
Each live programme will be broadcast at 9.00pm on BBC ALBA and repeated that night at 11.20pm on BBC Two Scotland with a shorter, 45 minute review programme transmitting at 2.15pm the following day on BBC One Scotland.
The programmes will include performances from each day’s competitions and coverage of the prize-winner's concerts as well as the premier solo and choral competitions which are the highlight of the latter end of the week.
BBC Gàidhlig will also be producing a premier package for Radio nan Gàidheal with 30 hours of live radio coverage. Some material will also feature in ‘Dè a-nis?’ the award winning children's Gaelic language television programme for seven to 11 year olds.
Margaret Mary Murray, Head of Service for BBC ALBA, said: “The Mod has gained international recognition drawing competitors and visitors from throughout the UK as well as further afield from Ireland, US, Canada and even Australia. In recognising the popularity of such a prestigious festival, not only at home but also abroad, I am delighted that we are able to offer audiences the opportunity to enjoy the best of the Mod through our television and radio coverage".
John Morrison, Chief Executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “In this, the Year of Homecoming, An Comunn Gàidhealach is pleased to bring the Royal National Mod back to its birthplace, Oban. We are delighted that the BBC will again provide coverage of the event on both BBC ALBA and also on BBC One and Two Scotland. In addition, we are indebted to Radio nan Gàidheal for covering the event in a comprehensive and professional manner.
“The comprehensive package of BBC broadcasts allows us to showcase our premier Gaelic cultural event to an appreciative audience at home and overseas. The growth in interest in the event has been greatly assisted by the support of our broadcast partner and we thank them for their tremendous commitment to the Royal National Mod."
The multi-talented duo of Tony Kearney, actor and TV producer, and the highly acclaimed singer and musician, Mary Ann Kennedy will present the daily television programmes.
Tony said: “I'm delighted to be presenting the Mod with Mary Anne again this year. Oban is a fantastic venue being such a major port from the islands. I last competed as a singer at the Oban Mod nearly 19 years ago so this will be a trip down memory lane for me. Mary Anne and I both have Mod backgrounds so it’s great to be part of it all again and be involved in the fantastic coverage that the BBC always provides."
BBC ALBA’s weather presenter, Kirsteen MacDonald, who will be competing at Oban, has won the prestigious women's Gold Medal at the Royal National Mod in 2006 and won the women's traditional medal last year in Falkirk.
The Mod, organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach, is the Gaelic community’s most prestigious celebration of arts, music, culture and language and this year’s festival takes place in Oban, the hometown of the first ever Mod back in 1892.
BBC Gàidhlig will be producing a premier package of live hour-long programmes covering the daily highlights throughout the festival from Monday 12 to Friday 16 October.
Each live programme will be broadcast at 9.00pm on BBC ALBA and repeated that night at 11.20pm on BBC Two Scotland with a shorter, 45 minute review programme transmitting at 2.15pm the following day on BBC One Scotland.
The programmes will include performances from each day’s competitions and coverage of the prize-winner's concerts as well as the premier solo and choral competitions which are the highlight of the latter end of the week.
BBC Gàidhlig will also be producing a premier package for Radio nan Gàidheal with 30 hours of live radio coverage. Some material will also feature in ‘Dè a-nis?’ the award winning children's Gaelic language television programme for seven to 11 year olds.
Margaret Mary Murray, Head of Service for BBC ALBA, said: “The Mod has gained international recognition drawing competitors and visitors from throughout the UK as well as further afield from Ireland, US, Canada and even Australia. In recognising the popularity of such a prestigious festival, not only at home but also abroad, I am delighted that we are able to offer audiences the opportunity to enjoy the best of the Mod through our television and radio coverage".
John Morrison, Chief Executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “In this, the Year of Homecoming, An Comunn Gàidhealach is pleased to bring the Royal National Mod back to its birthplace, Oban. We are delighted that the BBC will again provide coverage of the event on both BBC ALBA and also on BBC One and Two Scotland. In addition, we are indebted to Radio nan Gàidheal for covering the event in a comprehensive and professional manner.
“The comprehensive package of BBC broadcasts allows us to showcase our premier Gaelic cultural event to an appreciative audience at home and overseas. The growth in interest in the event has been greatly assisted by the support of our broadcast partner and we thank them for their tremendous commitment to the Royal National Mod."
The multi-talented duo of Tony Kearney, actor and TV producer, and the highly acclaimed singer and musician, Mary Ann Kennedy will present the daily television programmes.
Tony said: “I'm delighted to be presenting the Mod with Mary Anne again this year. Oban is a fantastic venue being such a major port from the islands. I last competed as a singer at the Oban Mod nearly 19 years ago so this will be a trip down memory lane for me. Mary Anne and I both have Mod backgrounds so it’s great to be part of it all again and be involved in the fantastic coverage that the BBC always provides."
BBC ALBA’s weather presenter, Kirsteen MacDonald, who will be competing at Oban, has won the prestigious women's Gold Medal at the Royal National Mod in 2006 and won the women's traditional medal last year in Falkirk.
Thursday, 1 October 2009
MEPs WARN THAT EU TRANSPORT RULES WILL REAPPEAR
An NFU Scotland delegation visiting Brussels has received warning that damaging EU proposals to introduce new restrictions on animal transport could be put back on the European agenda within a few short weeks.
During a day of parliamentary and industry meetings in the Belgian capital, NFU Scotland’s President Jim McLaren, Vice-President Nigel Miller and Chief Executive James Withers were given a clear steer that, as feared, the European Commission department responsible for animal transport remains determined to force through ill-judged proposals.
In early September, NFU Scotland got sight of a leaked Commission document outlining controversial, costly and impractical animal transport rules. By mid-September, following concerns expressed by NFUS and others, these plans were withdrawn from internal European Commission consultation. Now, it appears they may be a few short weeks from them re-emerging.
The NFUS delegation discussed the animal transport issue with three of Scotland’s MEPs – George Lyon, Alyn Smith and Struan Stevenson – on their Brussels visit.
Speaking from Brussels, James Withers said:
“When these proposals first emerged, we reacted quickly, got the Scottish industry and politicians behind us, and were delighted when proposals were initially shelved. However, as we said at the time, we felt they had only disappeared temporarily and were likely to re-emerge in some form. During this visit, we have been given a clear steer that our fears of their return will be realised and the fight to have them thrown out, once and for all, will step up a further gear.
“NFUS has consistently argued that animal transport already operates to the highest standards in the UK. However, poor enforcement of the existing laws is more common on the Continent. The proposals to further restrict the movement of animals will do nothing to address that lack of enforcement and any existing welfare problems abroad but, perversely, will penalised those countries like Scotland, who operate to high standards.
“Our dialogue with the Commission and politicians on this issue, both here and at home, must now step up a gear and we have taken the opportunity during this visit to meet several of our MEPs. Scotland is fortunate to have a group of MEPs who have a sound knowledge of farming issues.
“We recognise there are real welfare issues on very long journeys between member states, particularly in southern Europe. We want to work with the Commission and MEPs to propose targeted solutions to that problem but without hammering countries such as Scotland with an excellent track record on what are, very often, essential livestock movements.”
During a day of parliamentary and industry meetings in the Belgian capital, NFU Scotland’s President Jim McLaren, Vice-President Nigel Miller and Chief Executive James Withers were given a clear steer that, as feared, the European Commission department responsible for animal transport remains determined to force through ill-judged proposals.
In early September, NFU Scotland got sight of a leaked Commission document outlining controversial, costly and impractical animal transport rules. By mid-September, following concerns expressed by NFUS and others, these plans were withdrawn from internal European Commission consultation. Now, it appears they may be a few short weeks from them re-emerging.
The NFUS delegation discussed the animal transport issue with three of Scotland’s MEPs – George Lyon, Alyn Smith and Struan Stevenson – on their Brussels visit.
Speaking from Brussels, James Withers said:
“When these proposals first emerged, we reacted quickly, got the Scottish industry and politicians behind us, and were delighted when proposals were initially shelved. However, as we said at the time, we felt they had only disappeared temporarily and were likely to re-emerge in some form. During this visit, we have been given a clear steer that our fears of their return will be realised and the fight to have them thrown out, once and for all, will step up a further gear.
“NFUS has consistently argued that animal transport already operates to the highest standards in the UK. However, poor enforcement of the existing laws is more common on the Continent. The proposals to further restrict the movement of animals will do nothing to address that lack of enforcement and any existing welfare problems abroad but, perversely, will penalised those countries like Scotland, who operate to high standards.
“Our dialogue with the Commission and politicians on this issue, both here and at home, must now step up a gear and we have taken the opportunity during this visit to meet several of our MEPs. Scotland is fortunate to have a group of MEPs who have a sound knowledge of farming issues.
“We recognise there are real welfare issues on very long journeys between member states, particularly in southern Europe. We want to work with the Commission and MEPs to propose targeted solutions to that problem but without hammering countries such as Scotland with an excellent track record on what are, very often, essential livestock movements.”
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
BBC ALBA DOCUMENTARY ON PROFESSOR DONALD MACLEOD
Freumhan / Professor D Macleod - A Life
Thursday 1 October 2009, 9pm on BBC ALBA
Dr Donald Macleod, Principal of the Free Church College in Edinburgh, has always been a bold advocate of the causes that are dear to him. As well known for his searing political polemics as he is for theological brilliance, he has never ducked a difficult issue, nor been afraid to rattle cages amongst friend and foe alike.
In the run-up to his final year as College Principal, Dr Macleod retraces his life’s journey, from his roots in Ness on the Isle of Lewis, along the stunning west coast to Glasgow and through to Edinburgh, for an exclusive documentary titled ‘Freumhan’ on BBC ALBA.
Joining him on his journey is Highland journalist Angus Macdonald and together they consider how Scotland’s political, sociological and religious landscape has altered, and how these changes have shaped Dr Macleod’s life and also the communities and church that he has served.
Raised in Laxdale near Stornoway, but born in Ness, where as a young man he observed the impact of mass emigration, and social injustice. In his teenage years his academic abilities became apparent and it was also in his teens that he became a Christian, professing faith at the age of nineteen. Whilst studying at Glasgow he became aware of the work of JG Machen, and adopted his robustly intellectual approach to evangelicalism, as opposed to the more mystical influences of his youth.
Dr Macleod’s pastoral career took him first to Lochaber in 1964. He then moved to Glasgow’s Partick district in 1970, where he enjoyed a decade long, seminal, ministry. Whilst still only 36 he became the youngest ever incumbent of the Systematic Theology Chair at the Free Church College, when he was elected in 1979.
Since then he has become known for his influential polemical writings, firstly in the Free Church periodical, The Monthly Record, and latterly in the weekly newspaper, The West Highland Free Press.
The central theme of this documentary is the importance of roots, in family, community and spiritually.
‘Freumhan’ has been produced by Angus Mackay at Corran Media and will be broadcast on BBC ALBA on Thursday 1 October at 9pm and repeated on Monday 5 October at 10.30pm. BBC ALBA is available on Sky channel 168 & Freesat channel 110 and live on BBC iPlayer.
Thursday 1 October 2009, 9pm on BBC ALBA
Dr Donald Macleod, Principal of the Free Church College in Edinburgh, has always been a bold advocate of the causes that are dear to him. As well known for his searing political polemics as he is for theological brilliance, he has never ducked a difficult issue, nor been afraid to rattle cages amongst friend and foe alike.
In the run-up to his final year as College Principal, Dr Macleod retraces his life’s journey, from his roots in Ness on the Isle of Lewis, along the stunning west coast to Glasgow and through to Edinburgh, for an exclusive documentary titled ‘Freumhan’ on BBC ALBA.
Joining him on his journey is Highland journalist Angus Macdonald and together they consider how Scotland’s political, sociological and religious landscape has altered, and how these changes have shaped Dr Macleod’s life and also the communities and church that he has served.
Raised in Laxdale near Stornoway, but born in Ness, where as a young man he observed the impact of mass emigration, and social injustice. In his teenage years his academic abilities became apparent and it was also in his teens that he became a Christian, professing faith at the age of nineteen. Whilst studying at Glasgow he became aware of the work of JG Machen, and adopted his robustly intellectual approach to evangelicalism, as opposed to the more mystical influences of his youth.
Dr Macleod’s pastoral career took him first to Lochaber in 1964. He then moved to Glasgow’s Partick district in 1970, where he enjoyed a decade long, seminal, ministry. Whilst still only 36 he became the youngest ever incumbent of the Systematic Theology Chair at the Free Church College, when he was elected in 1979.
Since then he has become known for his influential polemical writings, firstly in the Free Church periodical, The Monthly Record, and latterly in the weekly newspaper, The West Highland Free Press.
The central theme of this documentary is the importance of roots, in family, community and spiritually.
‘Freumhan’ has been produced by Angus Mackay at Corran Media and will be broadcast on BBC ALBA on Thursday 1 October at 9pm and repeated on Monday 5 October at 10.30pm. BBC ALBA is available on Sky channel 168 & Freesat channel 110 and live on BBC iPlayer.
NFUS WELCOMES ANNOUNCEMENT ON CROFTING
NFU Scotland has welcomed the announcement from Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham that an occupancy requirement, which would mean houses built on former croft land have to be used as main residences, will not be included in any new Crofting Bill. The Minister was addressing a crofting meeting in Grantown-on-Spey today (Tuesday, 29 September).
Ms Cunningham also confirmed that there were no plans to end the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme and the Croft House Grants Scheme. These are schemes that deliver vital funding into crofting communities.
This announcement has addressed some of the primary concerns that NFU Scotland’s crofting members had expressed when consulted this summer on the draft bill and which NFUS raised in a private meeting with the Minister two weeks ago.
Attending the Grantown-on-Spey meeting, Mrs Jo Durno, chair of NFU Scotland’s Crofting & Highlands and Islands Committee said:
“When responding to the Scottish Government consultation on the draft Bill, we saw the merit in updating the legislation. However, following a widespread survey of our 700-crofting members, it was evident that there were huge concerns over much of what was originally proposed for inclusion.
“We had an opportunity to discuss those concerns in person with the Minister two weeks ago and last week, the Crofting and Highlands & Islands Committee sat down to go through the draft Bill again. At the Minister’s request, we will now be feeding in the committee’s thoughts on alternative approaches to tackling thorny subjects such as absenteeism as well as croft abandonment and neglect.
“Our crofting members have given us a clear steer on legislative changes needed to deliver their vision for crofting in the 21st century. We are committed to working with the Scottish Government to ensure that any legislative changes deliver for active crofters and take crofting communities forward.”
Ms Cunningham also confirmed that there were no plans to end the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme and the Croft House Grants Scheme. These are schemes that deliver vital funding into crofting communities.
This announcement has addressed some of the primary concerns that NFU Scotland’s crofting members had expressed when consulted this summer on the draft bill and which NFUS raised in a private meeting with the Minister two weeks ago.
Attending the Grantown-on-Spey meeting, Mrs Jo Durno, chair of NFU Scotland’s Crofting & Highlands and Islands Committee said:
“When responding to the Scottish Government consultation on the draft Bill, we saw the merit in updating the legislation. However, following a widespread survey of our 700-crofting members, it was evident that there were huge concerns over much of what was originally proposed for inclusion.
“We had an opportunity to discuss those concerns in person with the Minister two weeks ago and last week, the Crofting and Highlands & Islands Committee sat down to go through the draft Bill again. At the Minister’s request, we will now be feeding in the committee’s thoughts on alternative approaches to tackling thorny subjects such as absenteeism as well as croft abandonment and neglect.
“Our crofting members have given us a clear steer on legislative changes needed to deliver their vision for crofting in the 21st century. We are committed to working with the Scottish Government to ensure that any legislative changes deliver for active crofters and take crofting communities forward.”
MATHER WELCOMES CROFTING BILL CHANGES
SNP says it is "COMMITTED TO CROFTING FUTURE"
Jim Mather MSP, Argyll & Bute has welcomed the announcement from his colleague, Roseanna Cunningham, MSP, the Minister responsible for Crofting issues to heed advice from crofters and to remove draft plans for a residency requirement on decrofted houses from her Crofting Bill.
Jim Mather said:
"This is further proof that this Scottish Government listens.
This time it is listening to crofters, and ensuring we get a crofting bill that reflects their genuine needs. The SNP has always maintained that we will pay attention to the needs of our communities. Nobody disputes the need to tackle the speculation of croft land, and it is now for everyone with an interest in crofting to produce measures that are workable.
After much lobbying from elected members in the crofting areas and from crofters' interests and from others, the Minister has indicated that the residency requirement in the draft bill will not now appear in the Bill itself. That is the occupancy requirement, widely criticised for placing an unworkable role on local authorities, who would have to determine whether those living on decrofted land were doing so for 184 days a year.
As Roseanna Cunningham has stated, doing nothing about the problem of speculation is not a viable option. However, her willingness to redraft the legislation about this measure reflects well both on her, and on the many crofters and others who made their feelings known to her throughout the consultation process.
I will continue to consult with the Minister and officials about other aspects of the Draft Bill. I want to see a Bill, when it is put to parliament, which tackles the real problems in crofting, and heeds the input received from crofters."
Jim Mather MSP, Argyll & Bute has welcomed the announcement from his colleague, Roseanna Cunningham, MSP, the Minister responsible for Crofting issues to heed advice from crofters and to remove draft plans for a residency requirement on decrofted houses from her Crofting Bill.
Jim Mather said:
"This is further proof that this Scottish Government listens.
This time it is listening to crofters, and ensuring we get a crofting bill that reflects their genuine needs. The SNP has always maintained that we will pay attention to the needs of our communities. Nobody disputes the need to tackle the speculation of croft land, and it is now for everyone with an interest in crofting to produce measures that are workable.
After much lobbying from elected members in the crofting areas and from crofters' interests and from others, the Minister has indicated that the residency requirement in the draft bill will not now appear in the Bill itself. That is the occupancy requirement, widely criticised for placing an unworkable role on local authorities, who would have to determine whether those living on decrofted land were doing so for 184 days a year.
As Roseanna Cunningham has stated, doing nothing about the problem of speculation is not a viable option. However, her willingness to redraft the legislation about this measure reflects well both on her, and on the many crofters and others who made their feelings known to her throughout the consultation process.
I will continue to consult with the Minister and officials about other aspects of the Draft Bill. I want to see a Bill, when it is put to parliament, which tackles the real problems in crofting, and heeds the input received from crofters."
NFUS BELIEVES SHEEP DATABASE HOLDS EID KEY
NFU Scotland has reiterated its position that the key to delivery of controversial sheep identification rules is a central database, funded by the Scottish Government.
European Regulation 21/2004, which comes in to force at the end of the year, will make it obligatory for all Scottish sheep keepers to electronically tag most sheep born after 31 December 2009 and keep a record of animals’ individual identities every time they move. The Scottish Government is currently consulting the industry on how this unpopular regulation should be implemented.
The Union supports the development of a central database to record sheep identifications and movements, helping farmers comply with current and future requirements through a potentially ‘paperless’ system. It may even deliver flock management and animal health benefits back to farmers.
Speaking at a conference in Edinburgh today (Thursday, 29 September), NFU Scotland Vice-President Nigel Miller said:
“The development of a central database for sheep movements has the potential to significantly reduce the burden of compliance that regulation 21/2004 will bring to farmers. It could provide a paperless flock register for all sheep producers in Scotland, and alleviate the need for flock registers and movement documents on individual farms. This would be a huge step forward and could help avoid future cross compliance or inspection problems for sheep farmers.
“Having that database updated when animals are electronically scanned when passing through markets or abattoirs would make use of a key concession won by Scottish lobbying in Europe allowing the use of such centres to record movements. For example, markets could inform the vendor of what sheep they have consigned; inform the purchaser of what sheep they have bought and then inform the database electronically of the whole transaction.
“Although this regulation is deeply unpopular and poorly thought out, we have to make the most of a poor situation. The long awaited Food Chain Information (FCI) rules that come into force this January will require producers to provide meat processors with the relevant health information of animals going to slaughter. As part of the same rules, processors are required to provide relevant feedback on health and productivity back to producers on an individual basis where this is possible. The unpopular introduction of EID rules may actually make this possible.
“We are working with industry to keep FCI requirements as simple as possible, but further down the line, a sheep database opens up the delivery of benefits to the producer in terms of receiving feedback from abattoirs electronically. Allowing finishers and breeders access to information on carcase weights and conformation could provide valuable information and improve efficiency at farm level.
“At the same time, feedback on the health of each lamb when the carcase is inspected – taking a closer look at vital organs such as lungs and livers - could open the door to managing sheep diseases such as fluke, worms and Ovine Pulmonary Adenomatosis (OPA).”
European Regulation 21/2004, which comes in to force at the end of the year, will make it obligatory for all Scottish sheep keepers to electronically tag most sheep born after 31 December 2009 and keep a record of animals’ individual identities every time they move. The Scottish Government is currently consulting the industry on how this unpopular regulation should be implemented.
The Union supports the development of a central database to record sheep identifications and movements, helping farmers comply with current and future requirements through a potentially ‘paperless’ system. It may even deliver flock management and animal health benefits back to farmers.
Speaking at a conference in Edinburgh today (Thursday, 29 September), NFU Scotland Vice-President Nigel Miller said:
“The development of a central database for sheep movements has the potential to significantly reduce the burden of compliance that regulation 21/2004 will bring to farmers. It could provide a paperless flock register for all sheep producers in Scotland, and alleviate the need for flock registers and movement documents on individual farms. This would be a huge step forward and could help avoid future cross compliance or inspection problems for sheep farmers.
“Having that database updated when animals are electronically scanned when passing through markets or abattoirs would make use of a key concession won by Scottish lobbying in Europe allowing the use of such centres to record movements. For example, markets could inform the vendor of what sheep they have consigned; inform the purchaser of what sheep they have bought and then inform the database electronically of the whole transaction.
“Although this regulation is deeply unpopular and poorly thought out, we have to make the most of a poor situation. The long awaited Food Chain Information (FCI) rules that come into force this January will require producers to provide meat processors with the relevant health information of animals going to slaughter. As part of the same rules, processors are required to provide relevant feedback on health and productivity back to producers on an individual basis where this is possible. The unpopular introduction of EID rules may actually make this possible.
“We are working with industry to keep FCI requirements as simple as possible, but further down the line, a sheep database opens up the delivery of benefits to the producer in terms of receiving feedback from abattoirs electronically. Allowing finishers and breeders access to information on carcase weights and conformation could provide valuable information and improve efficiency at farm level.
“At the same time, feedback on the health of each lamb when the carcase is inspected – taking a closer look at vital organs such as lungs and livers - could open the door to managing sheep diseases such as fluke, worms and Ovine Pulmonary Adenomatosis (OPA).”
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