A Written Warning for the OCDS
UK - Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has decided to write to herd owners informing them of their eligibility to the Older Cattle Disposal Scheme (OCDS) and their right to compensation of stock loss.
2 May 2008
1 minute read
Funding for the scheme ends on 31 December 2008 and owners are being encouraged to enter eligible animals to the scheme before it closes at the end of the year. Older cattle, born before 1 August 1996, are eligible for the scheme.
The move been met with approval by the Ulster Farmers' Union.
UFU Deputy President Harry Sinclair said; “This is good advice to herd owners. If you have older cattle which are eligible for the OCDS then you should consider entering these animals into the scheme before it closes in December. There is also the potential for a backlog of animals to emerge later in the year so farmers should consider this option now. From next year these animals will have to be disposed of as fallen stock with no compensation available”.
The UFU highlighted that there are currently 32,000 OCDS eligible animals on farms in Northern Ireland. The Union says it would require over 900 eligible animals per week to enter the scheme to clear these animals through the scheme by the end of the year. However at present only 200 animals per week on average are being entered into the OCDS which currently pays producers £231 per animal.
The OCDS helpline is available on 0118 968 7333.
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