ANGER isn't a very attractive trait but I have rarely been so furious as last Friday afternoon when, at 3 pm, without any notice, we received a faxed letter closing down the York collection centre with immediate effect on the recommendation of DEFRA.

Still boiling, my next emotion was helplessness and a Friday afternoon is not the best time to try and stimulate a response from the civil service.

We had spent the whole week matching orders with entries for the 230 cattle licensed for the Monday collection centre that would have been. I have hinted in this column recently that DEFRA, or at least those on temporary secondment, were running out of jobs in the field and turning their attention to manufacturing work creation.

Part self-indulgence and part as a warning to others I set out below some of the salient features of this miserable episode:

In a three-week period from November 8, we had five visits from DEFRA veterinary staff who were charged with reviewing biosecurity at markets and abattoirs.

We have been operating a collection centre for 25 continuous weeks under the supervision of between three and six MLC staff, together with a trading standards officer. So far as I am aware, no serious complaint has been made and we have processed over 2,000 cattle, both direct to slaughter and on the OTMS scheme.

Evan Campbell appeared to be the main protagonist of the DEFRA crusade. A Scotsman, he told me he was not practising in this country but had worked around the world, with his last posting being in Australia from where he had spotted the FMD troubles in the old country; and set sail to "clean up Britain".

We did comply with some of his instructions, such as washing the unloading docks after every farmer tipped his cattle, and spacing the vehicles farther apart on the washing area, causing delay; but there were a few proposals that seemed impractical and unreasonable.

For example, we have worn protective suits that are thrown away each day and this is precisely what is stated in our licence conditions, but Mr Campbell decided to expand the requirement to include being fully waterproof.

You can imagine the impossible situation in mid-summer trying to make our market staff wear full waterproofs on a hot day, working amongst cattle under already steamy conditions. Besides which, we have already purchased hundreds of these polypropylene disposable suits and indeed the vet attending the collection centre wore the same thing each Monday.

The other matters really revolved around our not disciplining the farmers sufficiently at the exit and entry points to the Livestock Centre but, as we repeatedly told Mr Campbell, the situation a metre outside the market gates on the highway was exactly the same although when entering the market premises all vehicles pass over a disinfectant pad.

The last reason for shutting us down is that we did not immediately obey Mr Campbell's instructions!

The worst feature of this whole black comedy is the arrogant dismissal of the service we provide to the farmers and the spiteful manner in which the licence was suspended without notice. We had no hint that it was going to happen, and indeed the last words of the DEFRA inspector at the previous Monday's market was that they did not wish to have any confrontation and would come back to us.

Furthermore, my own subsequent letter sent off that day finished with the words "we look forward to your comments".

You may rest assured that the battle is not yet over and we fully expect the market will be open for business again on Monday if those in high places live up to their promises.

At the weekend, we had the Livestock Auctioneers Association annual meeting and the main thrust of discussion was about reopening livestock markets.

Negotiations are currently gathering pace and I have in front of me a draft of licence conditions for markets extending to six pages. We have managed to delete various impractical paragraphs, such as not employing any person who works on a farm or with other livestock. Also dropped is a clause requiring anyone coming to market with the intention of buying to register formally at least 24 hours before.

It is accepted that there will be a lot more biosecurity provisions and more self-discipline from both operators and farmers if we are to go forward.

The target date at the minute is around February 1, 2002, but there are some candle-burning negotiations yet to come.

For the avoidance of doubt, Malton market will reopen, provided we can reasonable comply with these new conditions

The UK Rural Business Campaign is now under way and meetings are being held around the country, the nearest of which I am afraid is at the Swallow Hilltop Hotel, Carlisle, on Wednesday, December 12, at 2pm.

The aim of the campaign is to unite all those who have suffered financial loss as a result of Government action or lack of action in controlling FMD.

It is a fascinating long shot but the Government may be in breach of the laws governing human rights. Under this convention, everyone must be treated equally and with FMD the UK has certainly compensated only one section of business and not others.

In addition, central government is not allowed to deprive people of their property and the legal definition of property includes peoples' livelihoods and the right to carry on their business.

Anybody wishing to join the campaign should ring Graham Williams on (01982) 560418.

FOX HUNTING will start on December 17 in counties that have a disease-free status. This presently includes East Yorkshire and counties to the south but may expand into North Yorkshire if DEFRA sticks to its promises.

FARMERS ONLINE - According to an NFU survey, 60pc of farmers are online and of those, 70pc surf the net at least once a day. An optimistic statistic methinks!

SUCKLER COW DEADLINE - Don't forget today, Thursday, is the last opportunity for returning your application forms for Suckler Cow Premium. If you haven't already got them in you need to deliver them to the DEFRA Regional Office.

It is most unusual but pleasurable to report that trade in all species is lively.

Demand for cattle is building up nicely towards Christmas and 'R' grade stock is making from 170-175p/kilo with the occasional bonus in addition to that. 'O+' grades are around 165p and 'O-' from 150-156p. There is very little now below 145p/kilo even amongst the black & whites.

For the first time in 4 months I have done a deal at 200p for a couple of show quality Belgian Blues.

Pigs are moving along very nicely and baconers are priced from 103-108p/kilo with lighter weight porkers getting up to 112p/kilo. Even the sow trade looks more promising.

The lamb sector is dragging its feet a little but mostly prices of 190p upwards are achievable if you will let us work at it. Some quality Texel hoggs hit 205p earlier in the week.

Help us to help you and phone our help lines at Malton on (01653) 697820/692151 and York on (01904) 489731.

Updated: 11:48 Thursday, December 06, 2001