The Farmers Mart Jun-Jul 2020 - Issue 69 | Page 12

12 FARM NEWS JUN/JUL 2020 • farmers-mart.co.uk NSA welcomes Government consensus for a Trade and Agriculture Commission THE National Sheep Association (NSA) is welcoming the announcement by Secretary of State for International Trade Liz Truss this morning, signalling the Government’s consensus to creating a body to assess the risks of trade agreements to UK Agriculture. NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker comments: “This is a really good starting point to show the Government really means to take British Standards and food production seriously. However, there are still a lot of questions to be answered and commitments to be stuck to. At this stage this could still just be Government paying lip service to industry, so NSA will continue to call for real legislative commitment through the Trade Bill or Agriculture Bill. NSA has been involved with an amendment for the Trade Bill calling for a legislative commitment for this sort of committee and we still believe its essential to have that protection for this.” NSA is pleased to see this progress after much concern was raised following the rejection of the Parish Amendment to the Agriculture Bill. Mr Stocker adds: “NSA has been calling for this sort of committee alongside other Agricultural organisations, MPs and others, to ensure that British farmers get the recognition and protection they deserve. Hearing that the Government is taking heed of that is fantastic news and we’re extremely pleased by this announcement.” However, there is still much detail to be agreed and NSA will follow this process closely. Mr Stocker explains: “This is just the support of a principle at this stage. The Government hasn’t committed to setting up this committee, or how it will look or be run. There is still a lot of detail missing and NSA will be looking closely at this as more developments come. We will be clear, this committee should be formed to assess each proposed FTA for its individual risks, the reports should be released publicly, and the Government should be required to issue a public response.” NSA Ram Sales in East and South West continue despite Covid constraints NSA is pleased to announce the confirmed dates of its ram sales in its Eastern Region and South West Region. The Eastern Region sales will take place at Rugby on Friday 28th August 2020, and the sale at Melton Mowbray will take place on the revised date of Friday 18th September 2020. Meanwhile, NSA South West Region’s sale is continuing to make pace at Exeter and will be held on Wednesday 19th August. NSA Eastern Region Ram Sale Organiser Jonathan Barber comments: “It is wonderful to be able to work with both groups of auctioneers to keep our Eastern Region Ram sales going, they have worked extremely hard to allow this to happen. However, we must remain aware there will still be constraints and social distancing at all times.” NSA South West Regional Manager Ian May comments: “NSA South West Region is pleased to be able to continue with the sale at Exeter but emphasise the need to follow social distancing rules and register in advance of the sale. While these are extra constraints, they are necessary to allow the sale to go ahead, which is the region’s priority.” RITCHIE COMBI CLAMP AND TRAILER A happier, quieter and safer way to handle sheep. LamPram • Substantially reduce body stress for operator and animals, anywhere • Save time and animal stress by managing sheep, anywhere • The Combi Clamp Trailer can carry additional hurdles for drafting, as pictured Carry lambs safely between pens with ewes calmly following with this convenient trolley. Combi Clamp pictured with the Combi Clamp Trailer and optional extras Contact us today for more info: 01307 462271 • [email protected] • www.ritchie-d.co.uk