MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Sheep skin specialist's visit approved

THE Falkland Islands Development Board (FIDB) has approved funds for the visit from a sheep skin specialist.

The board heard a suggestion from General Manager Julian Morris that in a depressed market for skins it could be beneficial to have Mr Gavin Jacobs, who he had met on his recent visit to Chile, come to the Islands to have a look at the situation.

Four and a half thousand pounds were approved for the visit with the general consensus being that it was an amount that could easily be recouped if skin processing were to be increased.

Last season Sand Bay abattoir achieved a price of $7.24 per skin with input from Chilean company Simunovich, however this year the same company is having difficulty in selling sheepskins at $7.

Regarding other abattoir matters, Mr Morris said he was "confident" that the blast freezer would be up and running for the forthcoming export season, however the cost of installation is still something to be settled. The new system is three to four times more powerful than the previous and the suppliers are confident that it will freeze the output from the abattoir in 48 hours.

The number of sheep to be slaughtered at the abattoir this season is not expected to increase overall on last season.

On the subject of finished lambs Mr Morris said they expected to have more animals through the abattoir this year.

He said they are prepared to be "...flexible depending on what people offer us." (PN).-