FARMERS are heeding advice not to flood the market with older animals, says the National Farmers' Union in North Yorkshire.

According to the NFU, it thought that following concerns that large numbers of older cattle coming on to the market, it could cause downward pressure on an already depressed price for beef.

Regional livestock board member and York farmer Tom Sewell said he is heartened by the way farmers have responded.

"Hand-in-hand with the lifting of the Over Thirty Months Scheme (OTMS) is the lifting of the beef export ban and this is not expected until April," he said.

"As a result there was a risk that too many older cattle would come onto the market before sufficient outlets had been developed.

"It will definitely take time for new markets, including export markets to develop, so I'm delighted that farmers have taken advice and seem to be holding back as much as possible."

The message from processors is that they need older cattle to offer reasonable amounts of meat. As a result ABP for example are requesting at least 'P' grade animals," said Mr Sewell.

"This highlights the fact that producers need to think carefully about which market they are supplying, especially given that even in an orderly market the UK has the potential to produce 4,000 tonnes of mature beef a week."

He added: "Having said that, all the signs are that new markets are already developing, with supermarkets already showing interest in using mature beef in some of their lines very soon.

"Our aim is to continue to work with retailers and processors long term, to achieve greater co-operation and less confrontation."

The OTMS scheme was introduced 10 years ago, preventing meat from older cattle entering the food chain.

This has now been relaxed, enabling farmers to market meat from animals born on or before August 1, 1996.

Updated: 16:10 Wednesday, February 15, 2006