A farmer has received £20,000 to turn dairy calves into gourmet produce and improve the fortunes of livestock farmers.

Clarissa Hallings-Pott is developing a veal production system with the help of Plumpton College and funding from Defra and the South East England Development Agency.

The project will look at turning dairy calves into veal for the catering trade after Mrs Hallings-Pott, from Lower Dicker, near Hailsham, researched production methods in Holland.

She is working with organic dairy farmers to complete the project, which will promote humane conditions and help beleaguered livestock farmers capitalise on the demand for veal.

Wednesday, December 7, 2005