BEEF farmers should feel optimistic about the future, despite the prospect of upcoming legislative changes in their industry, according to the experts at a local seminar sponsored by Lloyds TSB Agriculture.
Tim Porter, head of agriculture at Lloyds TSB, and Robert Forster, chief executive of the National Beef Association, highlighted three immediate and significant changes facing the beef industry - the Over Thirty Months Scheme, the potential of reorganising the UK's beef export facility and the mid-term review of the CAP.
Mr Forster said: "It is essential that the OTMS is renegotiated as quickly as possible, ideally on the basis of a phased introduction or an EU buy up scheme. He also warned delegates at Worcester Rugby Club that while the mid-term review was still in consultation, farmers could be certain it would bring change and should start preparing for it right away.
Mr Porter added: "The mid-term review of the CAP could herald the biggest changes witnessed by farming in a decade. Farmers need to plan ahead because if the proposals are agreed and implemented, they will have an impact on both crops planted in the autumn of 2003 and accompanying investment and stock management decisions."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article