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UK - Breakthrough over sale of cattle from TB-infected farms

MEAT TRADE NEWS DAILY
13 Nov 2010

For the first time ever, cattle from farms infected with bovine tuberculosis will be sold at an open livestock market in the West country.

Holsworthy Devon Cattle Market. Auction. Cow. Farmers

 

Auctioneers Kivells have announced they will be holding the UK's first auction of TB-restricted store cattle and dairy stock at Holsworthy Market on Monday, November 22.

Up until now all cattle from farms where any animals have registered positive to TB tests have been subject to a 60-day movement restriction, which has caused havoc to trade on thousands of agricultural holdings. Farmers have been unable to take cattle to market which were ready to be traded, until the whole herd tested negative for TB – putting on crippling financial burdens, and running down fodder stocks during winter months. Their only means of trading has been to take animals to dedicated "red" markets, where all animals have to be slaughtered, irrespective of whether they have been sold. These have not been held at every livestock centre and have proved of limited success.

Holsworthy Devon Cattle Market. Auction. Cows

Now, though, following lengthy discussions with various Government departments, Kivells are able to offer the opportunity to sell stock in the usual manner and allow farmers whose holdings are under TB restriction to return to the livestock auction and enjoy all the benefits that go with it.

The concession has been made with the proviso that all purchasers of cattle must have a registered TB holding certificate, with approved isolation units on their farm. At present there are more than 400 holdings with approved isolation units in the South West.

Auctioneer David Kivell said: "This is great news for many farmers who have not been able to obtain market prices for their livestock because the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of buyers competing against each other around the ring has been lost. That said, with several strong consignments of cattle entered, this sale presents potential buyers with a chance to secure stock to go back onto their registered TB unit."

Holsworthy Devon. Cattle Market, agricultural auction, sale, sell, selling, purchase, bid, livestock, animals, cow, farmers

He said many farmers throughout the region continued to struggle in running their business, having been placed under TB restriction. They had a major headache because very often they were not set up on their farm to over-winter large numbers of store stock. This situation was frequently encountered on dairy units which had been used to selling their young stock at markets up and down the country on a weekly bases. Being placed under TB movement restrictions simply stopped the process from happening, said Mr Kivell.

As well as the store stock entered for the special market, there was a good entry of freshly-calved dairy cows, heifers and young stock from the Westcountry TB-restricted holdings.

Specialist dairy auctioneer, Mark Davis, said: "Holsworthy is very much the beating heart of the dairy industry in the region and attracts quality entries, with something for everyone."

Holsworthy Devon. Cattle Market, agricultural auction, sale, sell, selling, purchase, bid, livestock, animals, cow, auctioneer, farmer

The special auction will start with the sale of store cattle at 11am. More details are available on 01409 253275.

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