Easycare sheep open evening

An open evening on the farm of Campbell and Isobel Tweed at Ballygally near Larne is taking place on Thursday 20 July from 6pm.

The Tweed’s run a flock of Easycare and Wiltshire Horn sheep and have not bought in any rams for six years. The flock is separated into 23 breeding families to keep genetic diversity and minimise inbreeding.

Dr Steven Morrison from AFBI will also discuss performance recording and developments in lamb production. Places must be booked in advance by calling Campbell on 078-0283 5355.

TB vaccine trials to start in Britain

Trials on cattle vaccinations for bovine TB are to begin in England and Wales, with the aim being to have a vaccine available by 2025 that can be used on commercial farms.

A key issue with vaccinations in the past has been differentiating between TB positive cattle and vaccinated animals during TB tests.

The new trials will be conducted over the next four years and will focus on TB vaccines and diagnostic testing.

“As wider preventative measures like cattle vaccines are introduced, we will accelerate other elements of our strategy and start to phase out badger culling, as no one wants to continue the cull of a protected species indefinitely,” said Defra secretary George Eustice.

UFU calls on councils to support farmers

Councils across NI are being urged by the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) to support local food producers.

It comes after Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council passed a motion to support local producers and businesses within the council’s procurement processes.

The motion was proposed by Ulster Unionist councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor Kyle Savage and was passed unanimously by the council.

“The next step is for all other councils to follow suit and support farmers, producers and homegrown businesses,” said UFU president Ivor Ferguson.

Meanwhile, food supplier Henderson Wholesale has committed to sourcing local food where possible and to not stock products that do not meet domestic production standards.

The firm supplies products to 480 Spar, Eurospar, Vivo, Vivoxtra and ViVO Essentials stores across NI.

Food standards not included in trade bill

A fresh attempt at legislation on UK food import standards after Brexit has been defeated at Westminster.

The amendment to the UK government’s trade bill aimed to make it a legal requirement that imports of meet domestic UK standards on animal welfare, environmental protection and food safety.

It was supported by opposition MPs, including all parties from NI, as well as 12 Tory rebels. A similar amendment to the government’s agriculture bill was also voted down in May.