Wales Farmer July 2012


Co-oprow over direct payments


■ Producers’ fears over


supply chain By Debbie James


AWELSH organic live- stock marketing co-oper- ative says attempts by a major meat processor to pay farmers


threatens the whole ethos


of co-operatives. Graig Producers has suspend-


ed trading with Vion following the demands,and its managing director,Bob Kennard, has accused the companyofattempts to bypass the group. Mr Kennardclaims the


demand puts at risk the futureof farmco-operativesbecause it givescorporatebuyers morecon-


Toystory smashes record


directly


trol of the meatsupplychain. But Vion insists moredirect


and shorter links areneeded to create an efficient supplychain, therebymaking it morecost- effective forfarmers. The companysaid it had


responded to calls forgreater sup- plychain transparency by intro- ducing the revised payment process thatsees farmers receiv- ing direct payment forlivestock. “The issue


with Graig


Producers is isolated and is not a move to bypass co-operative groups; Vion continues to main- tain apositive,constructive com- mercial relationship with other farmer marketing groups who continue to be recompensed for the valued services thatthey pro- vide,’’said aspokesman. “Vion is farmer-owned, and is


asignificant British farmer in its ownright. Vion deals directly with thousands of small produc- ers throughout the UK, and recognises the importance of pro- moting astrong, sustainableagri-


culturesupplychain.’’ Graig’s300 organic members


have receivedletters from Vion and in response the co-operative has launched an online petition called Ethicalfood4Me,demand- ing fairer treatment forBritish producers.


Support has come from MPs, academics and church leaders including


the Bishop of


Wakefield, the Right RevStephen Platten, and the Church in Wales lead on rural affairs,Rev Richard Kirlew.


Mr Kennardsaid the co-opera-


tive had receivedwidespread sup- port on this issue,reflecting con- cern thatthe move could result in the demise of smaller family farms.Hesaid producers must retain some control of the supply chain.


Former government adviser


Professor Tim Lang, of the Centrefor Food Policy,said the case highlighted continuing ten- sions in the UK food system.


WORLD leading Holstein bull Toystory has smashed his second world record as he produces his two millionth dose of frozen semen. And at just 11 years old, dairy farmers look set to benefit from his genetics for many years to come. Toystory (BW Marshall xPatron) became the most productive bull ever in May 2011 when he passed the previous record of 1.767 million semen units.


Is your soil pH toolow? UsingCalcifertisquickand easy...


3 Appliedusingastandardspreader 3 Fast actingand cost effective 3 Lowapplicationrates 3 Can be appliedtogrowing crops 3 Approved foruse in organic systems


SHEAR PROFIT: Prices are expected to remain buoyant for Welsh wool.


Rise in wool payments as world demand grows


SHEEP farmers marketing their wool through the British Wool Marketing Boardare set to benefit from afurther 22p/kg rise in wool payments this year. The increase,the fourth in consecutive years,comes on the back of strong worldwide demand, notablyinthe emerg- ing economyofChina, explained BWMB chief execu- tive Ian Hartley. He told ameeting of stake-


holders and the Welsh regional committee of the BWMB: “The increased payments have


come as aresult of the compet- itive auction system used by the BWMB to trade all the wool it sells.


“The averageclip value this


year will be £1.24/kg, repre- sentingasignificantlyincreased return forproducers. “This will be awelcome


boost to farmincomes,particu- larly as lamb values have been hit in recent weeks by the shift in the exchange rate.” Meanwhile,BWMB board


member Gethin Havard said therehad been an increase in production in 2011, with vol-


ume up by 6% across the UK. “This bodes well forthe


wool marketasdemand is still strong from across the world and sheep populations have fallen in the major wool pro- ducing nations in recent years,” he said. “It should be remembered


thatthe collective strength pro- ducers have by marketing through BWMB is unrivalled in the wool marketand allows BWMB to maximise wool prices formembers.” He hoped to see prices main- tained forthe 2012 season.


NEWS 5


®


Tel: 0800 6226023 |www.calcifert.co.uk For the latest Wales farming news: walesfarmer.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36