Livestock Markets Key to Healthy Food Supply Chain
UK - The key role played by both the traditional and the new modern livestock auction markets with all the mod cons within Britain's food supply chain is being recognised by a growing number of people and organisations.The National Federation of Meat and Food Traders (NFMFT), which represents
independent butchers across England and Wales, has expressed strong backing for
livestock auction markets.
"The decline in support - and numbers - of livestock markets has been a tragedy
for independent butchers and we will support any initiative designed to
safeguard their future," says NFMFT chief executive Roger Kelsey.
"There are still a number of traditional butchers who go to markets regularly to
buy their meat on the hoof, and livestock auction markets form an important part
of the food supply chain.
"They provide top quality animals to the trade at competitive prices and they
are good for both producers and local independent retailers."
Mr Kelsey's views were supported by Nick Allen, Sector Director for EBLEX, who
says: "Livestock auctions play a key role in the red meat supply chain, and the
wider rural economy, helping producers to get a competitive price for their
stock and processors to source quality animals. At the same time, they help to
preserve a traditional rural way of doing business and provide a social network
for farmers."
He adds: "The Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA), which also plays an
important role in their success, working to properly maintain the markets and
share good practice among sites across the country."
Norman Bagley, policy director of the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers
(AIMS), which represents small and medium-sized abattoirs that supply most of
the beef and lamb for the ethnic trade in England and Wales, said the country's
livestock auction markets provided the flexibility his members needed to meet
their customers' requirements accurately.
"These buyers prefer to source the livestock they require from auction markets
instead of on contract or direct from farmers because the markets give them more
choice and they can choose the livestock they want themselves. Most importantly,
they can buy according to demand," he said.
The NFU also fully supports livestock auction markets, with its chief livestock
adviser John Mercer saying: "They form a vital part of the industry, providing
producers with an important outlet for their animals and we need to do
everything we can to safeguard their future."
Alastair Sneddon, chairman of the LAA, which represents the auctioneering firms
which occupy and run the livestock auction markets of England and Wales, pointed
out that the markets were providing thriving rural centres for towns across the
UK.
"The market centres attract a wide range of other businesses, including land
agents, vets and equipment suppliers, as well as providing an important meeting
point for the country's farming communities," said Mr Sneddon.
"Their continued existence and development is essential for a healthy red meat
industry in England and Wales."