Dear NFU

[glow worm]

I am sure that the NFU do sterling and difficult work behind the scenes.I know they give regular updates to the farming community, mostly via outlets that only, mostly, the farming community see. I'm sure that few of us would want to be in their shoes as they attend countless meeting on our behalf.... but .. where is the replacement for 'Anthony Gibson', the NFU voice, who was so very good at talking to us and the general public during Foot and Mouth? We tuned in to his broadcsts every day to hear his straight factual reports and felt that the NFU were with us in a dreadful time. I don't feel that now.

 

[icanshootwell]

Don,t worry, there all working at home along with the CLA, don,t expect any advice any time soon. Red tractor is running a commercial add on TV to highlight British farming while are supermarkets are loading the shelves with polish beef.

 

[egbert]

I am sure that the NFU do stirling and difficut work behind the scenes.I know they give regular updates to the farming community, mostly via outlets that only, mostly, the farming community see. I'm sure that few of us would want to be in their shoes as they attend countless meeting on our behalf.... but .. where is the replacement for 'Anthony Gibson', the NFU voice, who was so very good at talking to us and the general public during Foot and Mouth? We tuned in to his broadcsts every day to hear his straight factual reports and felt that the NFU were with us in a dreadful time. I dont feel that now.

Interesting question.
Certainly Gibbo was a huge and reassuring national presence, despite never having been elevated to headquarters- and my fondness for the organisation has greatly waned since his exit.
(no disrespect to Mel, whom i regard highly).

But this crisis is of a different flavour, not specific to us.
Therefore the media aren't thinking to ask us for info.
And as Guy has pointed out, shouting how important we are right now will look petty.
(watch public reaction the the wonkers who kick a ball of wind about for a gozillion quid a minute, who are demanding they continue to get paid full rate)

The critical thing will be that NFU drive home a realigned post covid ag strategy.
I'm guessing most ELMS discussion so far should be thrown out the window, although Govie will cling to it.

 

[S J H]

Don,t worry, there all working at home along with the CLA, don,t expect any advice any time soon. Red tractor is running a commercial add on TV to highlight British farming while are supermarkets are loading the shelves with polish beef.

It's an old advert though. They could have done one like Aldi, to highlight what eating good food could do for people in this situation.

 

[PostHarvest]

And last night the BBC broadcast an interviewing with the head of the American Farmers Union asking him about the impact of Coronavirus on food supplies. You couldn't make it up.

 

[Highland Mule]

Don,t worry, there all working at home along with the CLA, don,t expect any advice any time soon. Red tractor is running a commercial add on TV to highlight British farming while are supermarkets are loading the shelves with polish beef.

500 tonne is hardly loading shelves, more helping make up a shortfall caused by blockage in the domestic processing capacity.

 

[icanshootwell]

500 tonne is hardly loading shelves, more helping make up a shortfall caused by blockage in the domestic processing capacity.

As you're so well informed, tell me if the polish meat is of the same standard as our red tractor nonsense, what age are cattle slaughtered out there? Just be interested to know if we're all on the same page.

 

[Highland Mule]

As you're so well informed, tell me if the polish meat is of the same standard as our red tractor nonsense, what age are cattle slaughtered out there? Just be interested to know if we're all on the same page.

I don’t have a clue. The information I have is that it’s very clearly labelled, and there was 500tonne only.

 

[icanshootwell]

I don’t have a clue. The information I have is that it’s very clearly labelled, and there was 500tonne only.

I have heard some horror stories about their abattoirs, with animals barley able to walk. Don't think our inspectors would allow that would they. I,m sure it's just gossip, our supermarket s would t lower the standard and sell the public any old rubbish. surly not just for profit.

 

[Highland Mule]

I have heard some horror stories about their abattoirs, with animals barley able to walk. Don't think our inspectors would allow that would they. I,m sure it's just gossip, our supermarket s would t lower the standard and sell the public any old rubbish. surly not just for profit.

I’ve heard similar stories about UK abattoirs.

Let him who is without sin cast the first stone, and all that.

 

[Martin Holden]

I am sure that the NFU do sterling and difficult work behind the scenes.I know they give regular updates to the farming community, mostly via outlets that only, mostly, the farming community see. I'm sure that few of us would want to be in their shoes as they attend countless meeting on our behalf.... but .. where is the replacement for 'Anthony Gibson', the NFU voice, who was so very good at talking to us and the general public during Foot and Mouth? We tuned in to his broadcsts every day to hear his straight factual reports and felt that the NFU were with us in a dreadful time. I don't feel that now.

He’s retired and still living in Somerset I think. He was a PR star during the 2001 crisis (was it really that long ago? I remember it like yesterday!)

 

[JP1]

He’s retired and still living in Somerset I think. He was a PR star during the 2001 crisis (was it really that long ago? I remember it like yesterday!)

He is very much there and lives for his cricket commentating

 

[egbert]

He is very much there and lives for his cricket commentating

and the zyder

 

[e3120]

500 tonne is hardly loading shelves, more helping make up a shortfall caused by blockage in the domestic processing capacity.

It only takes 5 tonne to establish that as the price point. And what shortfall? I know of 2 loads cancelled last week, whilst the cartel decided what they could get away with.

 

[fieldfarmer]

It only takes 5 tonne to establish that as the price point. And what shortfall? I know of 2 loads cancelled last week, whilst the cartel decided what they could get away with.

I was told they are going to reduce the kill numbers of clean cattle after this week to free up cold stores for more cow meat, thus creating a que for killing clean and another price drop to follow, wtf, when there is people who want to buy our product but not enough on the shelf.

 

[Highland Mule]

It only takes 5 tonne to establish that as the price point. And what shortfall? I know of 2 loads cancelled last week, whilst the cartel decided what they could get away with.

Shortfall of abattoir and cutting capacity, due to the rules on distances between workers. We know that @Smith31 has shut his plant down, JE in Cumbria has shut his down, how many others? There’s no point in having animals if they can’t get killed and butchered - the chain is only as strong as the weakest link, and that’s not animal rearing.

 

[Bury the Trash]

Shortfall of abattoir and cutting capacity, due to the rules on distances between workers. We know that @Smith31 has shut his plant down, JE in Cumbria has shut his down, how many others? There’s no point in having animals if they can’t get killed and butchered - the chain is only as strong as the weakest link, and that’s not animal rearing.

exactly , thats what some livestock farmers dont take into consideration.

no good without processors.

 

[Bury the Trash]

It only takes 5 tonne to establish that as the price point. And what shortfall? I know of 2 loads cancelled last week, whilst the cartel decided what they could get away with.

yes its the thought that counts,.
btw its not the abattoirs/processors that set the price.

 

[fieldfarmer]

exactly , thats what some livestock farmers dont take into consideration.

no good without processors.

But they are ringing around trying to get cow's booked in, they go down the same line so why not kill clean.

 

[Highland Mule]

But they are ringing around trying to get cow's booked in, they go down the same line so why not kill clean.

Are they butchered differently?