Older Cattle Disposal Slots Still Available back
US - Farmers wishing to dispose of cattle through the Older Cattle Disposal Scheme (OCDS) before the end of the year can still reserve their places. The booking-in system had originally been scheduled to close at the end of September, was subsequently extended to the end of October, but NFUS understands there are still places available.
12 November 2007
2 minute read
There are two abattoirs – at Brechin and Kilmarnock - processing cattle born in the UK before 1 August 1996 under OCDS. These cattle are ineligible for the food chain under BSE regulations. Spaces for 2007 are filling up fast, so any farmer wishing to process animals before the compensation rate drops at the end of the year, needs to act in the next few days.
There have been problems however with some agents not notifying eartag numbers to abattoirs when booking animals in on behalf of farmers. This is an extra requirement introduced for the first time this year to prevent animals being booked into more than one abattoir. Duplicate bookings have previously given the impression the scheme is full when in fact places may be available. NFUS and the Scottish Government is reminding all involved of the importance of recording eartag numbers as part of the booking-in system.
NFUS is also reminding farmers that imported animals born before 1 August 1996, but imported into the UK after this date, are still eligible for the food chain.
NFUS Vice President Nigel Miller said:
“Farmers need to move quickly if they want to take up the few remaining spaces under the 2007 scheme. The compensation rate drops again at the end of this year, before disappearing completely at the end of 2008.
“We would urge anyone booking in cattle to ensure they notify ear tag numbers – the point of the system is to ensure a fair allocation of spaces and to prevent the scheme getting artificially clogged up. If animals have been booked in without eartag numbers, their slots aren’t secured. Agents therefore need to go back and ensure they pass on ear tag details for those animals that they have booked in without them.
“In some ways, this year represents a trial run of the new booking in system, so there will be issues that need ironed out. It is vital though that the system is robust by next year which will be the real pressure point. It will be the last chance to get compensation for pre-August 1996 animals before the scheme ends at the end of 2008. We’ve real concerns at the lack of capacity to deal with the likely backlog and we’ll keep talking to Defra on that issue, but, at it stands, this scheme has just 14 months left to run.”
TheCattleSite News Desk
