Easier procurement of livestock by some abattoir operators looks likely next month following the announcement on Tuesday that auctioneers in Scotland would be permitted to resume cattle and sheep sales. But this easing of the anti FMD regime by the Edinburgh authorities is seen in the industry as of less short-term significance for meat supply than for logistics further back along the production chain. Major slaughterers serving the multiples seem already to have access to more or less enough cattle, though lambs are still causing problems, and prices for finished steers and heifers have softeened noticeably in Scotland since the beginning of the month. {{M/E MEAT }}