British foot and mouth boost to prices is over

THE sparkle has gone from the lamb trade, and it seems the British foot and mouth boost to prices is over.

Factory quotes are down by as much as 40c/kg (14p/lb) compared to last week, with less interest from processors in lambs, as they wait to see how the French market reacts.

Base prices dropped to a range of 360 to 354c/kg (128 to 126p/lb) this week after the announcement that the ban on exports from Britain will be lifted this week-end, and UK supplies will therefore be available for the French market within days.