February 26, 2008

UK livestock farmers cut production on weak market prices

Beef and pig farmers in the northern areas of UK are slowing down production pace, while some decided to quit on poor farm-gate prices.

The Ulster Farmers' Union pointed the extent of situation had been highlighted by the latest agriculture survey published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The UK study indicated the number of cattle in the North to decline by 9 percent and pigs drop 8 percent last year against 2006 figures.

UFU president Kenneth Sharkey said the survey indicated the downsizing trend of herds or the complete closure of some.

Sharkey further pointed 19-percent drop among prime cattle which had been slaughtered in the North in January this year compared with January 2007.