NFU secures vital funding for fallen stock plans

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Wednesday, 01, Oct 2008 12:00

The NFU has secured £2 million of vital interim funding to help set up a low cost system for the collection and disposal of adult cattle that have died or been killed on farm.

The funding, which was secured following extensive lobbying of Defra ministers by the NFU, will be available to the National Fallen Stock Company to facilitate an open market for collections.

The announcement comes after the EU said the surveillance testing of fallen stock could be reduced as BSE cases within the UK and EU continue to decline. Scientific opinion in the EU is that the testing age of fallen stock could be raised to 48 months. This means the requirement to continue to TSE test all over-24-month fallen bovines could be discontinued and a new age limit set within the UK.

Defra this week said that from mid January 2009 it will remove the current free collection and disposal service for adult cattle over 24 months old that have died or been killed on farm, and the industry will now take control of the cost of the collecting and disposing of all fallen adult cattle, including those which require TSE testing.

NFU Vice President Paul Temple said: “The NFU has consistently argued that any additional costs that TSE testing places on industry above normal fallen animal disposal charges should be paid for by Government. We have also lobbied the Government to ensure the UK follows the scientific view put forward by the EU and raises the TSE testing age to the maximum recommended levels at the earliest opportunity.

“It is encouraging to know that the continued reduction in the number of positive BSE cases will lead to a reduction in surveillance requirements across the UK. The current BSE controls have also enabled the UK to maintain consumer confidence and open up more markets for our high quality beef both here and in the rest of Europe.

“This £2 million funding, and the decision by Defra not to recover £3.8 million towards the costs of the Meat Hygiene Service in abattoirs, is greatly welcomed and shows the Government is willing to listen to the concerns of the industry.”

Defra will continue to pay for all the training, sample taking, equipment and laboratory costs as part of the funding agreement on all fallen stock bovines.

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