NSA Press ReleasesNSA Welcomes Successful Wool Project Launch
Monday, 01 February 2010
National Sheep Association (NSA) has welcomed the successful launch this week of The Wool Project as giving sheep farmers an opportunity to have wool put ‘back on the right side of the balance sheet’. The successful launch of the Wool project, which was an initiative of HRH the Prince of Wales, who has given tremendous public endorsement, is viewed by NSA as a great public platform from which to build awareness and understanding of wool, hopefully leading to increased demand for products. However the association, which exists to act in the best interests of sheep farmers, views success in the retail sector as a means to an end. Ultimately NSA thinks that sheep farmers will judge the success of The Wool Project by its activities delivering a significantly enhanced price for wool at the farm gate. Jonathan Barber, Chairman of NSA, said ‘There is no doubt that the launch of The Wool Project has given a huge boost to awareness, not only within the retail trade, about the quality of wool and the multifunctional qualities it has, but throughout the whole world of wool. By complementing the work of established structures and working with partners across the Commonwealth, The Wool Project has the potential to make a real difference to a UK wool industry that has faced an uphill battle against the rise of synthetic alternatives in recent years. Mr Barber continued ‘NSA is delighted that HRH Prince of Wales has once again demonstrated his own personal commitment to sheep farmers by listening to their concerns about the price of wool and then acting to try and make a difference. Clearly the news that for the vast majority of farmers shearing a sheep to remove the fleece costs the farmer more than the value of the wool sold has left an impression with The Prince of Wales and has resulted in this weeks positive steps forward. His invitation to John Thorley, past Chief Executive of NSA, to drive the Wool project forward, is supported by NSA, through their arm Pastoral Alliance. He continued ‘ It is very important that the actions of The Wool Project can clearly be shown to be playing a part in improving farm gate prices for wool so that it returns back to the right side of the sheep farmers balance sheet. As things are at the moment more and more farmers are investigating the possibilities of breeding and producing sheep that either just lose their fleece or don’t have wool at all. If that trend gathers momentum then the wonderful array of wool based products which currently are available to the public could in the future be confined to the history books. Mr Barber added ‘NSA believes in the future of wool and recognises it as a fantastic natural product which ticks all the boxes that the modern consumer is interested in. The association has already made a considerable financial commitment to The Wool Project through the Pastoral Alliance that contributed to the launch of the project. The Wool Project will see a whole range of partners move forward alongside NSA and demonstrate their commitment to sheep farmers and the wonder that is wool. NSA Criticises Publication of Defra Draft Animal Health Bill
Thursday, 28 January 2010
National Sheep Association (NSA) is critical of Defra for both timing and content in relation to the publication of the draft Animal Health Bill relating to Responsibility and Cost Sharing in England. Authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have given no indication that they intend to proceed along these lines in the near future. The publication of the draft Bill comes at a time when a Defra instigated group, chaired by Rosemary Radcliffe and made up of individuals from industry and government, are starting to get their teeth into many of the issues connected to the further sharing of responsibility and costs for animal health. NSA believes that to publish a draft Bill at this time will leave sheep farmers confused and even more sceptical and mistrusting of Defra’s intentions than they previously were. NSA remains deeply opposed to the further sharing of costs in relation to animal health and disease issues when it is evident that the government still fails to give recognition to industry for the huge costs it already carries and seems either unable or unwilling to lay on the table how the current budget on such issues is spent. The organisation strongly believes that Defra can make considerable savings and improve its effectiveness by taking forward improved sharing of responsibility with industry on such matters and using the practical knowledge that the industry has to benefit both farmers and taxpayers alike. NSA Chairman of Council Jonathan Barber said ‘The English sheep industry has had far more than its fair share of Defra led bureaucracy and cost imposed upon it in recent times. Ever since the whole subject of sharing responsibilities and costs for animal health and disease was first mooted by Defra several years ago NSA has remained fundamentally opposed to it in principle. The increasing depth of the bureaucratic quagmire and the ability of sheep farmers to cope with it concerns the organisation greatly and only serves to strengthen our opposition.’ NSA Chief Executive Peter Morris added ‘Despite all the opposition from industry Defra have kept pushing this subject forward. NSA took some heart when Defra established the group chaired by Rosemary Radcliffe to revisit the issues and investigate opportunities. Now however it must seem to sheep farmers that the emerging work of this group is being given no credence and that the way forward is already established no matter what is said. Despite this NSA will continue to oppose what is being put forward and maintain its criticism of Defra for their bulldozer approach and lack of respect for the work of others.’ For further information please contact: NSA Welcomes Food Standards Agency decision on ‘Smokies’
Thursday, 28 January 2010
National Sheep Association (NSA) has warmly welcomed the long awaited Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) agreement to seek Ministerial approval for the production of skin on sheepmeat or ‘Smokies’ as it is more commonly known. The thumbs up from the FSA today is a massive step forward in the process of legalising the production of this form of sheepmeat which, with its distinctive flavour, is a favourite amongst some ethnic communities. NSA members have led the long battle to legalise the product and the decision today represents progress after many years of hard slog and persuasion which at times often seemed like a lost cause. NSA Cymru/Wales Chairwoman Margaret Dalton has led the fight alongside South Wales butcher and farmer Carmello Gale and the pair have spent countless days over the last decade lobbying to have the product recognised. Margaret said ‘This is tremendous news and a good day for commonsense. Taking this huge step towards legalising ‘smokies’ will give more positive signals to the sheep industry and move us closer to bringing another product into the range that sheepmeat fulfils. The demand for skin on sheepmeat is strong amongst some ethnic communities and this demand has led in the past to illegally produced product servicing demand. If the product is legalised then this will disappear and the integrity and safety of the product will improve beyond recognition’ NSA Chief Executive Peter Morris said ‘At last progress is being made. NSA would like to thank the staff and board members of the Food Standards Agency who have worked hard in partnership with industry to get us to where we are. There have been exhaustive tests carried out to ensure that legalising the smoking process does not place any risk to human health. The next steps are to get Ministerial clearance and agree a way forward within the UK and possibly with Europe that ensures the legalisation process is both swift and effective.’ NSA has also been highlighting to the authorities that legalising ‘smokies’ should also help in the long running campaign to eliminate illegal importations of some ‘bush meat’ products. If there are legal options for people to eat then the demand for these illegal products should reduce and in turn improve UK biosecurity and reduce the risk of exotic disease incursion. For further information please contact - Julie Jennings NSA Chairman Praises Sheep Farmers’ Wonderful Bluetongue Efforts
Monday, 21 December 2009
The National Sheep Association Chairman of Council, Norfolk sheep farmer Jonathan Barber, has praised the efforts of sheep farmers which have led to a bluetongue free 2009. Mr Barber who farms pedigree Charollais sheep in Norfolk right in the heart of where the risk of bluetongue infection was at its greatest, was full of praise for farmers throughout the country but particularly those in the South and East of England. Mr Barber said ‘Throughout 2008 and 2009 the vaccination of sheep and cattle against Bluetongue 8 has been phenomenal in all parts of the country. This has meant that bluetongue really has been completely negated as a threat to our industry in 2009 . For an industry to achieve this level of success against such a nasty disease is an incredible feat. The fact that there has been no bluetongue is a credit to all involved in every stage of the vaccination process from the manufacturers right through to the vets and most importantly of all the farmers themselves.’ Mr Barber added ‘I would like to make a particular mention of sheep farmers in the south and east of England. The levels of vaccination undertaken in these parts of the country have often resulted in over 90% of animals being given immunity from the disease. This action meant that the areas of the country, such as the west and north, where the livestock populations are generally higher were given a barrier to disease which undoubtedly prevented a catastrophe taking place. The importance of what those farmers did for others as well as their own businesses cannot and should not be underestimated or go unmentioned.’ NSA has been at the forefront of the bluetongue battle in all parts of the UK. Whilst the organisation is keen to praise the efforts that have led to bluetongue being squashed so effectively, there is also a recognition that the sheep industry is not out of the woods yet and that a threat remains. NSA will continue to advocate the good practice that has led to such success in 2008 and 2009. Tags must be Competitively Priced
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
National Sheep Association is emphasising to its members that it is very important to ensure that the EID tags they buy to comply with next year’snew regulations are competitively priced as well as being suited to the sheep and the conditions under which they are managed. With the vast majority of farmers not now needing electronic tag readers or computer software in order to comply with the regulations the focus has switched very much onto tags and ensuring that farmers buy the right tags for their sheep. With a few tag types now approved for use under the new regulations and with prices starting to be publicly advertised it is very clear that the value of the microchip seems to be about 50p or thereabouts. NSA believes it would seem logical therefore that those farmers buying tags should only be paying 50p more for an electronic version of the tag that they are already using. The marketplace is already showing that there are some tags which will simply be an electronic version of an existing tag which means the same tag applicators can probably be used. However this may not be the case for all tags. If the tags purchased are of a different design then the fact that they have a microchip in them should not be a reason for them to be hugely more expensive. NSA Chief Executive Peter Morris said ‘At all the EID information meetings organised by NSA and supported by Eblex and L.A.A. there is a lot of interest in choosing tags and the possible costs of the tags. Paying about 50p more for a microchip in the tag seems to be a good rule of thumb for farmers to use when making their decisions.’ Tag loss remains a very high profile issue with different farmers reporting loss rates of less than 1% per year to over 25% in a few cases. NSA has been informing farmers that there are many factors which influence tag retention and loss, some of which are under the control of the farmer. Mr Morris continued ‘Farmers buying red replacement tags under the new rules can buy them as part of their ‘run’ of tags and therefore they should only cost the same as other tags. However the aim should be not to have the tag loss in the first place. Using the right applicator is important as is taking time to put the tag in the correct part of the ear to aid retention. However tag design is also an important factor and with change on the way it is a good time for sheep farmers to shop around and investigate what is on offer.’ NSA is concerned that with less than six weeks to go before the new rules come into force many tags are still in the approval process and the marketplace options are currently quite limited. Currently approved tags are listed on the Rural Payments Agency website http://www.rpa.gov.uk/rpa/index.nsf/0/678187D886C2E8E280257664004B856A Tag Loss Concerns Surface at ID Meetings
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
The EID information meetings jointly organised by the National Sheep Association (NSA) and the Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) and supported by EBLEX have been extremely well attended and have resulted in all present being much better informed about what the forthcoming changes to rules on sheep identification will mean for their sheep farming business. There have been many legitimate concerns raised by farmers about the effect and cost of these changes even though much of the burden has been reduced through industry lobbying. However the issue that has resulted in the most negativity has not been to do with the use of electronics as part of these new rules, but simply about the tags themselves and in particular tag loss. Tag loss is not a new issue and has long been the source of much complaint. However this is now heightened as replacing tags will not only be more expensive under the new rules but will also result in more cross referencing and paperwork. NSA Chief Executive Peter Morris said ‘Tag loss is not a new issue but the scale of loss amongst some producers is frightening. Some people have been speaking of losing in excess of a quarter of tags in a group of sheep in a 12 month period. However at the other end of the scale there are one or two farmers who say it is not an issue for them. Clearly it is a more complex issue than it might appear on the surface and there are many reasons why tags don’t stay in sheep ears.’ Sheep farmers recognise that some tag loss is due to where in the ear the tag is inserted and accept that some of the loss is due to badly positioned tags. However with a sheep often jumping around when being tagged, the task is not easy especially when the farmer will also be trying to maintain good hygiene to reduce the risk of infection. However tag design and material quality are also recognised as key factors in determining how well the tag stays in the ear. Mr Morris continued ‘At these meetings we are emphasising to farmers how important it is for them to insert the tag in the correct part of the ear. These messages will be enhanced as meetings move northwards and into Wales where so many of the breeding flock are originally tagged. However it is not all due to the positioning of the tag in the ear and NSA believes that farmers should look around the tag marketplace before making decisions. Clearly tag design matters as does the quality of materials used in the manufacturing process. Both of these factors vary in the marketplace so it is vital that manufacturers and the government panel that sets the standards for sheep tags do all they can to protect farmers from the costs and hassles of tag loss.’
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