Achi news desk-
The farmers’ lobby believes the measures will have a financially damaging effect on farmers and growers, and is calling for a pause in the process of implementing them until the cost implications are fully understood. .
Iain Brown, chair of the Scottish NFU’s horticulture working group, who employs seasonal workers on his soft fruit and vegetable farm in Fife, said: “There is an urgent need for proper industry consultation. The welfare of the skilled people who come to Scotland to help produce the country’s food is important. Many horticulture producers have high numbers of workers who return to their businesses every year because they are so valued.
“Paying worker recruitment fees could mean many businesses are no longer commercially viable, and any loss in productivity will only drive food price inflation, and businesses are already dealing with extreme weather events and supply chain challenges”.
Rounding off
A mixed load, less hoggets at Ayr yesterday saw good meat types sell easily to an average of 377p/kg and a peak of 476p/kg for Beltexes from Balcaimie or £221/head for Texels from Broadsheen . Cast ewes peaked at £211 for Texels from Kier with rams selling to £200 for Beltex from Grassmillees. Mules sold to £157 for Merrick with Blackies making £129 for Hawhill.
Steers at St Boswells yesterday averaged 292p/kg and sold to 332p/kg on two occasions, while heifers averaged 295p/kg and sold to 334p/kg, again twice. Hoggs fell during the week but still averaged an impressive 390p/kg and sold to £225/head for Suffolk or 446p/kg for Beltexes, while cast ewes averaged £143/head and sold to £240 for a Texel ewe. And light ewes sold for £119 each for North Country Cheviots.
Lanark prime beef breed heifers rose 14p on the week to average 315p/kg and sold to 344p/kg for Limousin, while beef breed steers averaged 22p on the week to 268p/kg. Cast beef cows increased by 8p during the week to an average of 202p/kg, while dairy cows fell at the same rate to an average of 158p/kg. Again, prime hoggets met strong demand, averaging 384p/kg and selling to 457p/kg, while cast ewes increased by £14 during the week to average £130 each and sold to £282 for Texel . And Blackies sold for £151 per head.
