i) Two new appointees to the new ruminant health and welfare group
Two new appointments have been made to the new UK-wide Ruminant Health and Welfare Group (RHWG).
Ms Caroline Slay, with vast experience in marketing communications within the industry, has been appointed as secretary general. Mr Gwyn Jones, who also sits on Defra’s Animal Health and Welfare Board for England through AHDB, has been appointed as Vice Chair.
Endemic diseases and related challenges cost the UK cattle and sheep industry more than £500 million every year.
ii) Irish beef finishers benefit from income support scheme
An estimated 42,000 Irish beef finishing farmers will be eligible for a €50 million income support scheme for cattle sent to slaughter between 1 February and 12 June.
Despite the fact that a huge number of Welsh beef farmers were hit hard when the foodservice sector shut its doors, prices in England and Wales have been recovering in line with demand and remained in the region of 30¢ per kg above Irish prices throughout the pandemic.