North’s cattle farmers ponder industry plans

NORTHERN Ireland’s cattle farmers are reserving judgement on the beef industry’s plan to use imaging analysis (VIA) machines to classify cattle, and introduce a payment system similar to the south’s QPS, from January 17.

Following a mixed reaction to a year’s use of the system in the south, Ulster Farmers’ Union deputy president Harry Sinclair said unless northern farmers are satisfied with the outcome of tests, the UFU would not agree to introduction of the new system.

While farmers’ questions remained unanswered and proposals were still to be discussed with farmers, UFU remained opposed to VIA in Northern Ireland.