On farm Collection For Final Year Of Older Cattle Disposal Scheme
UK - The NFU has called on Defra to respond to its request for the introduction of an on farm collection service during the final year of the Older Cattle Disposal Scheme.
24 July 2007
1 minute read
The on farm collection service - which would involve a fallen stock collector going to the farm, slaughtering the animal, and taking it away to enter it into the scheme - has been called for in a bid to encourage more farmers to use the scheme, avoid unnecessary transport cost burdens to producers, and to allow a smooth transition to an on farm collection service for any remaining pre 1996 cattle after the OCDS closes on December 31 next year.
NFU livestock adviser Alastair Johnston said: "With the Defra policy of cost recovery and changes in the TSE surveillance criteria, it is vital that cattle keepers are given clear signals including what charges, if any, they will face for the removal of pre 1996 animals after this compensation scheme ends. This will enable business decisions to be made on an individual animal basis."
The OCDS ends on December 31 2008 and a booking system will open on August 1 2007 so farmers can ensure animals make it into the compensation system in time. Farmers who book animals in will need to produce their County Parish Holding number and the animal’s ear tag number to secure a slot in the scheme. Bookings will be cross-checked to avoid any duplication and any extra spaces will be allocated to another animal to ensure maximum throughput.
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