I spoke to the one of the staff at Melton Mowbray yesterday and they are still hoping the show and sale can go ahead, there was a meeting yesterday but they didn't think they would get an update before Tuesday with it being a bank holiday, so fingers crossed.
At least with the movements to holding being relaxed I can return some of my visiting cows and calves to their owners, as I certainly did not plan on having then quite so long. Mind judging by the trouble I had getting them in today to go home, I think they are quite happy here.
I certainly hope that Melton does go ahead, as I have put a lot of effort into gettiing our young bull ready. I am sure everyone else has worked hard too. Has anyone any tips on what to look for when buying a stock bull as ours is getting on a bit now? Is it best to buy privately or at a sale?
I have been very doubtful of the show and sale going ahead, but from sources inside Defra it looks as though it may well be ok. Conditions for licences to allow movements to markets being worked on, these may be operational from Monday.
Duncan
Duncan MacIntyre
Burnside Dexters 00316
Burnside
Ascog
Isle of Bute
A sheep society I am a member of is saying that sheep cannot be delivered until 3.30 p.m. the day before and must leave within 24 hours. They are canvassing the local anmal health office to try and get a longer period but say they aren't hopefull.
Here's what they posted:
AT THE MOMENT, THE MARKET HAS PERMISSION TO OPEN ONLY FOR 24 HOURS. THIS MEANS THAT SHEEP CANNOT BE DELIVERED UNTIL 3.30PM ON FRIDAY 7TH, AND ALL ANIMALS MUST LEAVE THE MARKET BY 3.30PM ON SATURDAY 8TH.
That to me is not clear. Presumably if you deliver at 6 p.m. then you can stay until 6 p.m. the following day, but then if others have delivered at 3.30 then the market will be open from 3.30 one day till 6 p.m. the following day which is more than 24 hours.
When the notice appeared on MM market web site saying that the show and sale would take place as planned, the defra site still said that there would be a 24 hr limit for animals to be on a market or show site. I think the auctioneers were expecting that the 24 hour restriction would apply to the Friday, and that the restricions would be further relaxed at midnight on Fri, ie 0001hrs Saturday morning, which would allow the sale to continue. As a fall back they have had the possibilty of a show of sorts on Friday night and sale on Saturday morning all along. Like the sheep breed societies our own DCS has been asked to lobby for an extension, and I for one have done so, but I need to be careful as a vet what arguments I put in relation to FMD risks, of which I would hope those making decisions are better informed than I am.
I think there will be more negotiations on Monday morning.
Duncan
Duncan MacIntyre
Burnside Dexters 00316
Burnside
Ascog
Isle of Bute
I know we were all looking forward to the sale, but wouldn't it have more sensible for MM Market to postpone the event for a few weeks, just until the regulations which DEFRA have in place make it possible to hold such an event, with bio-security in place of course. This would have avoided all the confusion/uncertainty.
When DEFRA announced some relaxation of restrictions w/e 24 August, I spoke to my vet to check about moving visiting cows back to their owner and asked about the sale....he doubted the sale would be held, stating that the earliest sales could be held may possibly be Sat 8 September.
We had been unable to get the two animals entered (Lots 24 & 62) back to our main holding (they were in fields four miles away, linked to our holding) in preparation for the sale, plus the added cost of having each of them TB tested for a sale which at that time was still in limbo.
Sadly we made the decision that it would be better to withdraw the animals from sale rather than present them "in their night clothes, instead of Sunday best."
Had the event been postponed, both animals would have been brought back to our holding in preparation for a new date.
The defra site seems to indicate that no animal can enter a market before midnight the day before an event, and all animals must be off by midnight on the day of the event.
Melton Mowbray site says that the show and sale is going ahead as planned but may be subject to strict conditions.
The notes in the cattle section show that animals can arrive from early friday morning
Hopefully within the next couple of days they will have a definitive answer, and clearly show when animals can arrive.
Humberdale Dexters (31319)
Holderness
East Yorkshire
Been up to m.m market today and spoke to someone in the office about the show and sale and he said that subject to licence animals will beable to arrive from 6pm pm thurs 6th but the web site will be updated today to comfirm this hope to see you all there
I've just been copied in on this from the MM market to our sheep society.
"Good News following extensive negotiation and your lobbying we have been able to agree with Animal Health a new Show Licence for the Show and Sale on the 7th & 8th September.
This allows 48 hours for the weekend and will run from 6pm on the 6th September to 6pm on the 8th September"
Following copied from Melton Mowbray Market website.
Good News following extensive negotiation and your lobbying we have been able to agree with Animal Health a new Show Licence for the Show and Sale on the 7th & 8th September.
This allows 48 hours for the weekend and will run from 6pm on the 6th September to 6pm on the 8th September
We have to have a vet on site to supervise unloading.
Thursday 6th 6pm to 9pm
Friday 7th 7am to 11am & 4pm to 6pm
Saturday 8th 6am to 10am
Humberdale Dexters (31319)
Holderness
East Yorkshire
