GOOD news has come the way of Craven farmers this week after the Government's promise to help ease the financial pressures they currently face.

Hill farmers in the Dales can expect to receive a cut of the £60 million being set aside.

In addition, Agriculture Minister Nick Brown announced a further commitment to delay cattle registration charges - worth £45 million - until 2002.

The charges were due to come into effect any time and were opposed by the National Farmers' Union (NFU).

BSE related abattoir charges worth £44 million are also included in the package as well as a further £1 million to help improve the industry's marketing structures.

As many Craven farmers prepare to attend the rally in Bournemouth organised by the NFU to coincide with the Labour Party Conference next week, news of the package was welcomed by the Union.

"Coming at a time when the NFU's Audit for Action will show business confidence at rock bottom, there was a clear case for action and we are pleased the Government has listened," said NFU president Ben Gill.

"The package will relieve some of the symptoms of the present crisis. What is now urgent is to tackle the root cause - excessive bureaucratic and regulatory cost."

Mr Gill added that it was still important to continue to stand up to the Government as there were vast swathes of British agriculture, such as pig farmers, whose situation was not immediately eased.

Chairman of Craven Cattle Marts Stephen Butcher said the aid announcement did not get rid of all the problems. "It has not done anything about the ridiculous number of inspectors at the abattoirs for instance," he said.

He also said there was far too much bureaucracy. "What we need is a level playing field with the rest of Europe. Our costs are much higher than elsewhere. For example it costs three times as much in this country to slaughter a sheep than in Europe."

As well as the Bournemouth rally, a similar protest was held yesterday (Thursday) in Northallerton, the constituency of Tory leader William Hague.

A special public meeting has also been called at Skipton Auction Mart next Thursday, September 30, at 7.30pm when Mr Gill will address and listen to local farmers.

During the day Mr Gill will attend the weekly sales at Gisburn Auction Mart and is scheduled to visit farms. He is due at Gisburn at 11.30am.

This auction mart was one of the first in the area to announce poor calf sales and was left with several on its hands because no bid was received for them.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.