Anger at tractor ban on bypass

The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route is to be classed as a special road, which means that agricultural vehicles will be banned from the route. There has been anger from farmers over the decision, as the road has the possibility of greatly reducing travel times for farmers trying to bring cattle to the abattoir in Portlethen.

The road is classified as neither a motorway nor a dual carriageway, but as a special road – meaning it requires that agricultural vehicles meet certain conditions before they are permitted to travel on the road.

One such condition means that farmers cannot travel more than 1.5km between farmland, unless it is being used for horticultural purposes, such as trimming hedges.

£1m cheeky beef campaign

AHDB has launched a £1m ‘cheeky beef’ advertising campaign that will run through the month of August and aims to add £6m to the thin-cut steak market over the next three years by engaging with new families and young couples.

The focus of the campaign is on the versatility of thin-cut beef steaks and how it can be used in a range of quick and easy mid-week meals.

New Zealand sheep meat exports steady

During the first six months of 2018 New Zealand fresh/frozen sheep meat exports totalled 249,800t – similar to the same period last year – according to AHDB figures.

The largest market for New Zealand exports is China, with shipments totalling 107,200t, up 13% year-on-year.

Exports to the UK in the year-to-date are 4% below last year’s levels. During June, total sheep meat production in New Zealand declined 5% year-on-year to 25,800t.

Animal cruelty sentences increase tenfold

Animal abusers who commit the most heinous crimes will face up to five years in jail after draft legislation gained strong support from welfare groups. Currently the maximum sentence is six months, but following consultation the Government will legislate to increase that by tenfold. The draft Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Recognition of Sentience) Bill was put out to consultation in December 2017.

Animal Welfare Minister, Lord Gardiner said: “Our proposals to raise maximum sentences for animal abusers attracted strong support. We will now legislate so courts have the power to punish offenders properly.”