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New Rules on Disposal of Fallen Stock
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SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE Pentland House 17 April 2003 To: All livestock farmers
Dear Sir or Madam NEW RULES ON DISPOSAL OF FALLEN STOCK FROM 1 MAY 2003 I am writing to inform you about the Animal By-Products Regulation, which will ban the routine on-farm burial and burning of animal carcases when it applies in Member States from 1 May 2003. From that date the only legal methods of disposal will be rendering or incineration. The only exceptions from the ban in the UK are for remote areas of the Highlands and Islands, on which we are currently consulting stakeholders. On-farm incinerators will be allowed provided that they conform to certain standards and are approved. Guidance on incinerators is available on request. We are aware that the ban on burial will cause difficulties for some farmers who will be faced with increased costs of disposing of fallen stock. Following announcement at the NFU Scotland Conference on 28 February, and subsequent discussions with the Union, the Executive is working with the other UK Agricultural Departments to set up a low cost voluntary scheme to which all UK farmers can subscribe. This will help keep the cost of disposal to a minimum. Details of this scheme and how it would work are attached (see below). Compared to typical charges under existing collection arrangements there are substantial savings to be made. The Scheme can only be viable if sufficient people are willing to join and it is recognised that the full benefits of economies of scale can only be made when it is fully operational. The charges being proposed do not represent the full costs of the scheme. This is being heavily subsidised by the Executive initially, although over time the Executive would expect industry to take full responsibility for funding and operating the Scheme. In the event that take up is not adequate to make the scheme viable farmers wilI need to make their own arrangements for collection and disposal of fallen stock and the Executive's role will be limited to enforcement of the ban on on-farm burial and burning of carcases. Please complete and return the enclosed pre-paid post card by 6 May. If interest in a scheme is sufficient, you will be contacted again with joining instructions. This essential mailshot has been distributed using the agriculture census database. This information is treated in the strictest confidence and personal data has only been released for use in this important distribution. This data will not be used for any other purpose. If you are no longer involved in any form of agricultural activity, or your contact details are incorrect, please write to "The Census Manager, Room 028, Pentland House, 47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh EH14 1TY". Alternatively, send an email to agric.stats@scotland.gsi.gov.uk. Please include the relevant parish holding number(s). Yours sincerely
John Murphy |
Fallen Stock Subscription Scheme
How it will work
The Scheme will be open to all livestock holdings which will be given a membership number on payment of the subscription fee. It is proposed that there will be a central body set up jointly by UK Agriculture Departments and industry, but run by the industry, responsible for administering membership of the Scheme, collecting subscriptions and paying contractors.
Members of the Scheme will then be entitled to have their fallen stock picked up at no further cost. An approved contractor in your area will carry out collection of stock for disposal. All approved contractors will be required to follow strict biosecurity guidelines drawn up in agreement with the industry and comply with stock traceability requirements.
What it will cost
The proposed fee is a one-off payment of £50 per year for small holdings*; £100 per year for the medium sized holdings**, and £200 for larger holdings***. If there is a high uptake of the Scheme these rates should be sufficient to keep the Scheme self-financing with the aid of an initial public subsidy, but they will need to be kept under review in the light of experience and as the public subsidy is reduced over a period of time.
* Less than 20 livestock units
** 20 to 199 livestock units
*** 200 or more livestock units
1 Livestock unit = 1 adult bovine, 1 adult horse, 5 sheep, goats, pigs, deer or 50 poultry
How you can save money - some examples
Medium holding with 50 cows, 50-60 sheep and 60-70 pigs
Based on estimates of mortality rates and typical costs for collection and disposal of fallen stock, a holding of this size could expect to have 2 cows (one of which is assumed to be under 24 months, and the other over 24 months which will be collected free as now under BSE testing arrangements), 3 sheep and 4 pigs requiring collection over a year. Typical costs of collection and disposal are: £90 per cow, £15 per sheep and £12.50 per pig.
Total cost: £185 compared with subscription fee cost £100.
Small holding with 40-50 pigs and 500 poultry
Expected number of fallen stock are 3 pigs and 50 poultry. Costs are £12.50 per pig and £0.65 per bird.
Total cost: £70 compared with subscription fee cost £50.
Large holding with 100 cows, 600 sheep
Expected number of fallen stock are 4 cows (assume one under 24 months as above), 30 sheep. Costs are : £90 per cow and £15 per sheep.
Total cost: £540 compared to subscription fee cost £200.