Don't Delay - Book Older Cattle Today
UK - NFU Scotland is reminding producers that the Older Cattle Disposal Scheme (OCDS) will end this year and that those intending to put cows into the scheme will have to book in advance or face disappointment. Industry intelligence suggests that booking slots are going fast.
20 August 2008
2 minute read
The OCDS was established three years ago as a disposal scheme for cows born or imported into the UK before August 1996. As part of our BSE controls, these animals are permanently excluded from the food chain. Although the scheme is not compulsory, compensation is available to those who enter animals into the OCDS.
* "The nature of farming is that we tend to leave things to the last minute." |
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That compensation will be withdrawn at the end of this year. Those pre-August 1996 animals that remain on farm after 31 December 2008 will then need to be disposed of as fallen stock and producers are likely to be charged in the future to have them collected.
NFU Scotland Vice-president Nigel Miller said:
“The nature of farming is that we tend to leave things to the last minute. For those hoping to put pre-August 1996 born animals into the scheme and get compensation then act now.
“Since last year, animals entering the scheme need to be individually booked into the system using their eartag number. This can be done through the approved OCDS abattoirs or through an agent. However, booking slots for the scheme are filling up fast. It is estimated that around 35,000 cows eligible for the OCDS are still on Scottish farms while the scheme will only have the capacity to process around half that number before its end in December.
“While there is no compulsion to dispose of these animals, producers must make the call on whether the breeding value of these older cows outweighs the compensation on offer, which stands at 292 euros per head. At current exchange rates this is worth £230.”
TheCattleSite News Desk
