A new lobby organisation is to be established in NI to represent pedigree cattle breeders from the beef and dairy sectors.

The Pedigree Cattle Trust is being launched at Balmoral Show next week and aims to represent more than 2,500 local pedigree herds.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Portadown solicitor Brian Walker explained that the breed societies have come together because they want to ensure pedigree cattle breeding in NI is preserved and enhanced.

“We want a seat at the table. We want to work in partnership with government on issues such as disease eradication and control,” he said.

As well as animal disease, the new organisation hopes to lobby on a range of issues including Brexit, animal welfare, genomics and also animal movement and identification. After the launch next week, the Trust intends holding an annual general meeting, agree a constitution, and put a committee structure in place.

SAF helpline

DAERA’s Single Application Form (SAF) advisory service is being extended to operate over the next two weekends ahead of the 15 May application deadline.

The helpline will be available from 9am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday 6 and 7 May as well as 13 and 14 May. The helpline is available on 0300 200 7848.

A DAERA spokesperson said this week that 7,500 farmers have already received help and advice by using the service, including around 1,200 farmers who have arranged one-to-one appointments in local DAERA Direct offices.

“DAERA still has the capacity for about 2,000 appointments before the 15 May deadline, but this number is decreasing on a daily basis,” the spokesperson added.