WELFARE SCHEME CASES MUST BE PRIORITISED -
NFU
The scheme to slaughter animals trapped on or away
from their farms by foot and mouth restrictions for welfare reasons is a vital
measure and must be made to work properly, says the NFU.
But the massive volume of applications to the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme
means that it is impossible to deal with them all immediately.
The NFU is calling for a system of prioritising cases to be set up, so that
essential resources are not diverted from vital disease eradication measures
and the most urgent cases are dealt with first.
Talks have been held with MAFF about what improvements can be made to the
scheme without compromising the disease control measures.
NFU Deputy President Tim Bennett said: "The setting up of the welfare
scheme was desperately needed - it is proving absolutely vital for many
farmers.
"But in the two weeks since it was started, it has been deluged with
thousands of applications that simply cannot be dealt with straight away. There
is an urgent need to prioritise the most pressing cases.
"MAFF needs to communicate clearly the purpose of the scheme and how it is
operated.
"We need farmers to pull together on this. Please hold back if your
welfare case is not absolutely urgent."
He added: "We are urgently looking at what practical changes can be made
to the scheme to speed up the whole process. For example, we have pressed for
additional telephone lines into the Intervention Board to deal with the high
volume of calls.
"We are working with those implementing the scheme to look at what other
issues may be preventing its smooth running, including how landfill sites are
being used.
"And we are also urgently addressing with Government how to get the market
moving again in restricted areas so that finished animals can go to slaughter
and alleviate the pressure."
As of today, 60,000 animals had been slaughtered under the scheme. Applications
for 1.5 million animals have been submitted.
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