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From The Wellies - April 07

This month’s new buzz word is ‘co-mingling’.  It sounds likes something that should go on after the last dance at a disco, or at the end of speed dating meeting. 

It is, in fact, the practice of  mixing meat from different countries on the same shelf in a supermarket display. 

The National Farmer’s Union of Scotland has already collected evidence of beef, lamb and pork from different countries being sold on a shelf display bearing the Scottish Saltire Flat.

The Food Labelling Regulations Act 1996 has general legal requirements regarding labelling, including the place of origin and provenance should not mislead a purchaser.  Local authority guidelines also state that physical separation of different countries of origin is the preferred approach and that shelf edge signage of a specific country of origin must not be used if produce from different countries is on sale. Many consumers actively seek out Scottish produce because of its reputation for quality, high production standards and the reduction in food miles. 

If it is not clearly labelled then they may find themselves buying meat from New Zealand or Argentina when in fact they had wanted Scottish meat.  Anyone who comes across co-mingling of produce under the Scottish label is asked to contact NFU Scotland on 0131 472 4021 or better still take up the issue with the store manager in person.

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The recent death of a well known Banffshire farmer serves as a timely reminder to everyone working with cattle, about the dangers of tagging young calves. 

Bob Cumming of Baldavie Farm, was pinned against a wall by the calf’s mother as he attempted to tag it.  It seems that the rest of the herd then panicked and trampled him to death. 

This tragic accident will be investigated by the Health & Safety Executive as it was a work-related accident – their advice on tagging calves is to have a second person present in order that they can fend off an over-protective mother.  Good advice, but not always easy as many farmers now work alone, or with only occasional help. 

Now that the weather is improving and everyone seems to be out walking and enjoying the countryside, care should be taken if there are cows with young calves about.  Normally placid cows will defend their newborn calves if they think they are under threat.

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Fairtrade Fortnight has just ended, but the sign on the outskirts of Aberfeldy reminds us that we live in and around Scotland’s first Fair Trade Town.  It was looking at this sign everyday, as well as being impressed by the efforts of the local Fair Trade Committee, that spurred the Highland Perthshire Branch of the NFUS into action. 

Led by Branch President Jane Anderson, several members joined the Fair Trade Committee in The Square in Aberfeldy on the morning of the 10 March, to highlight the fact that Scottish farmers need a fair price for their produce as well! 

NFUS produced some excellent material showing the difference in price between the farmgate and the supermarket shelf.  Every member of the public spoken to was very supportive when we handed over the publicity material and we explained that supporting local farmers not only cuts down food miles but ensures that local farmers as well as those from half way around the world are able to get a good price for their produce and earn a decent living.