Hauliers to Boycott Cattle Marts
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LEVESTOCK hauliers in Angus and East Perthshire have decided not to carry cattle for sale at marts in Dundee, Forfar, Montrose, Arbroath and Brechin under the present arrangements of "first in, first sold."
Twelve contractors, including British Road Services, were represented at a meeting at which this was determined, and it was stated that the present selling system was causing congestion and loss of time. It was essential for a ballot system to be introduced to enable all farmers and sellers to have the same opportunity in the sale ring, irrespective of the time of arrival.
The boycott was arranged to begin next week. Managers of the various markets were asked to attend the meeting, so that mutual agreement might be reached, but they did not do so.
Hauliers say that not more than half thc present number of vehicles could do the work efficiently and deliver all the livestock to market by 11 a.m. Under the 'present system ca•Ve may stand from 7.30 a.m. until 4 p.m. waiting to be sold.
The existing system, whichthe auctioneers are not willing to change, is for livestock in the first float to arrive to be the first lot in the sale-ring. Farmers do not like the arrangement, because it does not enable them to secure the best prices.
Hauliers have been asking for at least three days' notice of demands for vehicles.
At Dundee market on March 25, there were at one time 17 cattle trucks waiting to be unloaded. Half of them were in the market and the others were lined up outside. As there is only one unloading bank, vehicles had to wait up to an hour. The inadequacy of unloading and washing facilities at the market was raised with the corporation some years ago, hut nothing has been done.