FINN(COM) DAILY RECORD: FRIDAY, 23 JULY 2004
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
FALKLANDS: NO REDUCTION IN TROOP NUMBERS SAYS CHIEF OF STAFF
By Sue Gyford (FIBS)
There will be no reduction in troop numbers in the Falklands as a result of the cuts announced this week by Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon. There will be changes here in the Islands but when I spoke to Chief of Staff, Group Captain Gordon Mould (GM) this morning, he told me he was confident they wouldn’t detract from the Military presence here.
GM: The Secretary of State’s announcement was not about cuts. It was about modernisation. And, yes, it will involve a reduction in numbers of personnel, ships and aircraft. However, the operational capability of the armed forces should be enhanced when our new equipment comes into service. But most importantly for the Falkland Islands there will only be superficial changes to our posture here. For example, whilst it’s sad to hear that our Royal Air Force Resident Rapier Squadron will be disbanded, this ground air defence role will be undertaken by the Army, thereby ensuring that our operational capability will remain the same.
SG: In terms of the reduction of troop numbers that we have here in the Islands, what are we looking at?
GM: Although the number of infantry battalions will be reduced by four and the remaining 36 will be grouped into multi-battalion regiments, full details of these changes are not yet available. However, the Secretary of State’s Announcement does not indicate that there will be any reduction in troop numbers here in the Falklands.
SG: We know that HMS CARDIFF and the HMS GLASGOW are going to be taken out of service. What’s that going to mean in terms of visits from patrol vessels?
GM: The CARDIFF, GLASGOW and NEWCASTLE or the Type - 42 ships will progressively be reduced and be taken out of service over the next few years. They will be replaced by the new Type 45 Destroyers that will enter service towards the end of the decade. Although some changes to the level of routine activities may take place, deployments in support of UK interests abroad will remain a priority. This announcement only indicates superficial changes in our posture and our commitment to the Falkland Islands remains the same.
SG: So there could be fewer visits but you are confident this shouldn’t have a detrimental affect to the presence here?
GM: Certainly, the only location-specific decrease mentioned is the withdrawal of the Northern Ireland Patrol vessel due to the improved security situation. And there will be no change in that posture here.
FIBS NEWS DIRECT: 23 JULY 2004
BECKSIDE DAIRY:
After 14 years of being under FIDC’s wing, Beckside Dairy has been offered out to the public domain. I asked General Manager, Julian Morris (JM) to tell me more:
JM: We have a completely blank page on this. FIDC took over the day to day running of Beckside Dairy with FLH a couple of years ago and this was always envisaged to be a stop-gap measure and now the dairy needs to have a long-term future and needs to have a long-term development plan. We are giving people the opportunity to put to us what plans they might have for the dairy.
LH: So, it’s a business plan, it’s not sort of buying it out?
JM: It could be any of those things. In the expressions of interest we wrote to people who would be interested in seeking to run it on a farm-share basis, people who would be interested in leasing it or, if somebody was interested, buying it. We are completely open to all suggestions.
LH: I have been looking at the amount of money it has made in the last year. It’s £90,000.00, isn’t it?
JM: The turnover - that’s from sales of milk and eggs primarily. It’s a reasonable level for a business or if somebody wants add to that extra sales, then it’s in a good relative position.
LH: What sort of scope is there for expansion on these products?
JM: There are a number of opportunities. Probably the most obvious one is pasteurisation and the sale of pasteurised milk to the local Stanley market and to the MPA market. There are also opportunities in developing new product lines, such as cheeses.
LH: Do people just contact you or come in to see you?
JM: Yes. Anybody who would like to talk, please pick up the phone to me and we can meet and talk through any ideas anyone has got.
LH: So, you are willing to give advice on how the business is run itself?
JM: Yes. A key part of what FIDC does is help people work through their business plans and make sure their thoughts get developed into practical, robust business plans, then to bring those plans to reality. And, we would be keen to do that with any party.
LH: How does the dairy currently operate? Who’s there running it at the moment?
JM: We’ve got Nick and Doreen doing a very good job supplying Stanley with milk and eggs. They are running that on a day to day basis. But we need now to establish a long-term development plan for the business. That may involve Nick and Doreen, or there may be other plans.
NEW EQUIPMENT AT CABLE AND WIRELESS:
Cable & Wireless have installed new Virus Protection equipment on the Horizon e-mail server. Business manager, Brian Summers says that 89 virus-infected e-mails were detected and deleted within the first hour.
FERTILIZER:
Robert Hall from Falkland Wool Growers is putting together a large fertilizer order for farmers. A price list is being circulated with the various types, assuming that he gets enough orders for 20 tonnes. Robert says that there has been a move away from the mix of 20:10:10, which is now only sold as a blend and isn’t recommended for long-haul shipping. There has also been an increase in price this year because of rising energy and nitrogen costs. All prices include delivery to Shoreham Dock Gates. It’s thought that the most suitable time for shipping will be the next southbound ship, which leaves the UK on the 6th of August. Orders by Tuesday, 27 July please.
COUNCILLORS EXPLAIN FEELINGS ABOUT HIGHER MEAT PRICES:
Farmers Week is over and everyone is back home recovering and thinking about the many issues that were discussed at the seminars and workshops. Brought up was the rising price of meat in Stanley. I spoke to Councillors Jan Cheek (JC) and Stephen Luxton (SL) to find out what they think.
JC: The price is a bit of a worry but when you consider what people were paying for imported lamb chops and instant meals and things, fresh meat doesn’t seem such a bad deal to me. But, I guess to farmers who are used to just going out and selecting their animals it does seem a lot.
LH: Considering you can buy a whole sheep for £12.00.
JC: And, we have emphasized that we want people to still have that right to buy farm-killed meat. They are not compelled to buy from the shops. They can buy their own farm-killed meat, cut it up and freeze it themselves and make a great saving by doing so.
SL: There was a fear about a year ago that there may be a move afoot to actually completely do away with people’s right to buy farm-killed meat and sell it into Stanley on a small scale. We very strongly resist that. People can have their choice and will do for the foreseeable future. There are more people in the Islands now that want the convenience of packaged meat. Both options are available.
COMMITTEE MEETING:
There’s been one Committee meeting today. The Cost of Living Committee met at 1000 in the Liberation Room.
HARBOUR NEWS:
The Zalgares, Arcadia and Acamar are all in Berkley Sound. Atmoder and Asiatic were also there earlier this week but left for South Georgia on the 21st and 22nd. The Tamar sailed for Port Howard this morning and the Korean trawler, Chorus 8 is expected in for Licensing this afternoon. There are 20 vessels currently in the zone and Lolligo catches are still averaging 20 tonnes. The two Finfish vessels are still searching for fishing sites and the two Long-liners are doing well.
(100X Transcription Service)
