Calf export trade in disarray as AEF faces collapse

EU - The calf export trade was thrown into disarray this week as the farmer’s co-operative that started amid so much hope last May faces likely closure.

30 March 2007

1 minute read

Anglo-European Farmers was set up on the back of the lifting of the 10-year export ban last May. It received public backing from NFU president Peter Kendall as well as a number of MPs who welcomed it as a new era for the British livestock trade.

More than 1,000 dairy farmers paid to join the cooperative and send calves for export to buyers in continental Europe.

However, dwindling support from both farmers and agents collecting calves recently forced the directors to hand over the ferry operation to a Dutch operator, Hans Nuyssenborgh.

Anglo-European Farmers directors are now due to meet today (Friday) to decide whether there is any hope of keeping the co-operative alive or whether to put it into receivership or administration.

Anglo-European Farmers director David Owens said they had been let down by calf collecting agents who had originally pledged to support the ferry. He said the trade was now being taken over by agents who did not have the best interests of farmers at heart.

“It’s a sorry situation,” said Mr Owens. “Other traders weren’t interested at first and said protestors and Defra rules would make it impossible. But once they saw it could be a goer they wanted a piece of the action. They are convinced there are big profits in it."

Source: FarmersGuardian