THE depressed state of the
troubled British livestock industry is highlighted in statistics which show that Scottish auction marts' turnover fell by #69.5m in the last accounting year and threaten to get worse.
According to statistics, members of the Institute of Auctioneers in
Scotland handled more than #490m worth of store and primestock in 1997 compared to #561m the year before.
Provisional figures for the first quarter of this year appear to show further deterioration.
President John Neil said the 1996 figures were distorted by influencing factors such as the over 30 months scheme.
He added: ''There is no hiding the fact that there were less cattle in the pipeline in 1997 and values fell in line with all other sectors of
agriculture.
''As an integral part of the industry, auction markets are feeling the effects of the current depression but we are still major players in the
marketing of livestock, handling over five million head of cattle, sheep and pigs.''
Prior to a meeting with leading auctioneers in Perth last night, he said: ''It appears things will we
considerably worse for the first quarter of this year.
''It will not be a good year but I do not think it will mean mart
closures.''
National Farmers' Union of
Scotland vice-president Jim Walker said: ''These figures for 1997 are symptomatic of the current crisis in the industry and we expect them to be a lot worse in 1998.
''With prices falling the effect on farmers will also be reflected in
auctioneers' commissions.
Walker told his audience: ''The figures back up all we are trying to impress upon Government about the financial problems throughout the industry.''
For the year ended December 1997, store stock numbers handled were 2,326,689 with a value of #256.3m, compared to the previous years 2,321,706 head, down #14.3m.
Prime stock numbered 2,625,382 head, worth #235.5m, down #55m on the previous year's 2,786,522 head.
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