WHERE IS THE WELSH FALLEN STOCK SCHEME?
THE Farmers' Union of Wales today called for an explanation why no details
of the national fallen stock scheme - due to be launched on New Year's Day - have been sent to farmers.
Following the introduction of EU Animal By-products Regulations, which
banned the usual on-farm burial and burning of dead stock from May 1 this year, DEFRA announced the go-ahead last July for a fallen stock scheme from January 1 2004.
"But we have had no details and they are unlikely to introduce it in time
now, what with the Christmas and New Year holidays in the offing," said FUW's Hill Farm and Marginal Land Committee Chairman Derek Morgan.
"Yet it is one of those times of the year when we can expect an increase in fallen
stock due to the poor weather and lambing. We will now have to continue disposing of our dead stock individually which is likely to be far more costly for livestock producers," said Mr Morgan.
Costs for joining the scheme vary according to the number of livestock.
Farmers with fewer that 20 livestock units will pay £50 a year for the collection
service; between 20 and 200 units £100 a year; 200 to 1,000 units £350 a year and those with over 1,000 units will pay £1,000 a year. One cattle or five sheep equals one livestock unit.
"Farmers who do not abide by these regulations have effectively been
criminalised. The Government needs to produce clear guidelines and information for farmers immediately if they want the scheme to start on time," said Mr Morgan, who is a Llangurig sheep farmer.
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