Achi news desk-
“Scotland has led the way in embracing free range and barn egg production in the UK with more than 80% of our production from these systems.
“While enriched cages still account for a significant proportion of eggs produced in this country, our own information shows that the importance of the system is decreasing every year and that the number of birds kept in enriched cages is likely to have been overestimated.
“If we had had the opportunity to consult with the Scottish Government before this announcement, we could have shared this. However, we will write to them [Scottish Government] to request a ministerial meeting to discuss the consultation.”
Mr Thompson added: “The Scottish Government’s suggestion of a non-statutory voluntary requirement on Scottish companies to stop buying eggs from enriched cage systems is impractical and unenforceable, and we will be importing eggs from elsewhere with no welfare standards possibly better or worse. and production methods than those met by Scottish egg producers.”
Rounding off
The best of the hoggs at Newton Stewart this week met with real demand, reflected in an average of 364p/kg or £161/head, and a top of £216 for Texel from South Clutag or 455p/kg on for Beltex from Carllae.
Meanwhile, Blackies sold to £204/head to Garvilland or to 415p/kg to Carse O’Clary, who also led the Mule at 414p/kg. Cast ewes sold for £220 for a Texel ewe from Graigenquarroch with rams selling to £170 for the same breed. Blackies sold to £134 for pens from Garheugh and Balmurrie.
Meanwhile, Carlisle calves sold to £660 for British Blues from Balcraig Mawr which also tied for the best return for the heifer classes, at £575 for the same breed. Meanwhile, Woodfield once again claimed the top spot in the shop classes at £2120 per head for steers.
A hoggs shop in Longtown on Tuesday peaked at £173 a head for Netherhirst-based Beltexes, with sales averaging £108 a head. The same vendor also topped the ewe feeder classes at £146 per head for Cheviots, while ewes in lamb peaked at £104 per head for a pen of three and four crop ewes from Thorney Bank, which was also scatter her Swale ewes and her ewes. hogg flocks to average £86 per head.
Demand for top quality hogs at Dingwall remained strong on Tuesday as tighter numbers led to further increases in value. Texels from The Green, Banchory, topped the sale at £360 each – breaking the market record by £30 in the process. Cast ewes achieved a strong average of £136 per head.
