Local and national summer shows look certain to be rural casualties of the coronavirus crisis, but Scotland’s livestock marts insist it is business as usual – unless government advice changes.
Caledonian Marts managing director John Kyle said today’s sale of fat sheep is going ahead as planned, albeit with extra biosecurity and hand sanitisers in place, but added many farmers were dropping off animals at loading banks and leaving them to be sold in their absence.
The Institute of Auctioneers is working closely with the Scottish Government to ensure sales can continue in a way that is safe, and both Mr Kyle and United Auctions managing director George Purves said it was critical for customers that the auction marts continued to operate.
“Foot and Mouth showed us it was a disaster for trade to have to close the marts, so we are doing everything in our power to keep them safe and open,” said Mr Kyle.
Mr Purves added: “The safety and wellbeing of employees and customers is our first priority and we will take all appropriate and necessary actions to ensure their health is protected.”
The directors of the Royal Highland Show are meeting today ahead of making an announcement about June’s flagship food and farming event, but, given government advice on restricting mass gatherings, it looks certain to be cancelled.
Andrew Stevenson, the president of Fife Show, which was scheduled for May 23, admitted it looked highly unlikely the Cupar event would go ahead, and said an announcement would be made shortly.
Perth show secretary Neil Forbes said his committee would be meeting today and they would follow government guidance.
Angus show secretary Ashleigh Forfar said the show’s organising committee was not scheduled to meet until next month, but it too would fall in line with advice.
Meanwhile, farmers are being warned by the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority (Amtra) not to stockpile prescription-only animal medicines during the coronavirus pandemic. Amtra secretary general Stephen Dawson said stocking up with prescription-only medicines such as wormers and flukicides was not appropriate.
He added that it is an offence to prescribe more than the minimum amount of medicine required for a treatment, and farmers will get best value from their medicines by having a proper conversation with their prescriber at the time of need, so they can be prescribed the best choice of treatment.
nnicolson@thecourier.co.uk
