THE growing trend for farmers to become retailers prompted a meeting at the Jersey Farm hotel, Barnard Castle, to promote best practice within the farm food-retailing sector.

Mr Alistair Booth of the Food Standards Agency, a qualified vet who worked for MAFF for 24 years, told the meeting that the agency protected consumers by putting them first, by being open and accessible and by being an independent voice.

His advice on food hygiene covered rules governing slaughtering and the legislation relating to the sale of fresh meat.

All meat for sale must be from animals slaughtered in a licensed slaughterhouse and stamped, he said, but explained how private slaughter could provide meat for a farmer's family.

Many present were most interested in farmers' markets and Mr Booth explained that a stall at such a market was a retail shop, so supply must comply with rules of supply to any shop.

Coun Richard Betton, a farmer from upper Teesdale, asked what constituted a veterinary operative, as abattoirs were having to pay for fully qualified vets each time they slaughtered, while other countries did not.

Mr Booth disagreed, feeling that the rules on veterinary attendance were the same across member states.

One member of the audience felt the FSA, in trying to put the consumer first, could try to prove that people had not got CJD from eating beef.

A warning that diversification might bring a rates demand came from Mrs Margaret Bozic, a chartered sur- veyor with the valuation office. Exempt land had to be used for a specific agricultural purpose. If used mainly for sport or recreational activities, it might be rateable. Buildings, too, must be closely connected with agricultural enterprise.

Environment Department proposals now out for consultation, included 50pc rate relief on previously exempt land and buildings for new farm enterprises with rateable values below £6,000.

If anyone still had doubts about whether they had to pay rates, she advised them to consult a chartered surveyor or the valuation office.

Inroducing Mr Mike Cool, his fellow trading standards officer, Mr Steve Bilton said that, although they were part of an enforcement agency, they were there to help as they realised most people wanted to comply with the law.

Mr Cool gave a comprehensive talk on food labelling.

Mrs Anne Oselton, who helps run the WI market in Barnard Castle, asked about nut labelling but was told it was not yet a legal requirement. The Barnard Castle market does label any nut content on its goods.

Asked why pre-packed beef killed after September 1 was not being labelled as such in supermarkets, Mr Cool said it was up to the local council to enforce this.

Mr Dan Weston of the Northern Dales Meat Initiative, who organised the event, said it would be nice to see the "magnificent seven" - the big supermarkets - comply with the law.

Mr Jeff Burke, a Wear Valley District Council environmental health officer and responsible for the safety and licensing of farmers' markets at Stanhope, Crook and Bishop Auckland, said he felt the markets had been successful. His main task was to make ensure the safety of high risk foods.

Replying to concern about taste samples of cooked food being put near uncooked meats, Mr Burke felt samples were adequately covered and most uncooked meat was pre-packed, with little chance of cross contamination.

Mr Weston pointed out that butchers had to take hazard analysis and critical control point training if they wished to keep fresh and cooked meats on their premises, Mr Burke said stallholders had not reached that point, but he asked them to do a basic hygiene course