§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representation he has received relating to problems associated with the payment by farmers for the collection and removal of casualty animals; and if he will make a statement. [462]
§ Mrs. BrowningI have received a number of representations from producers expressing concern about charges made for the collection and disposal of animals slaughtered on farm. Charges are generally higher for animals entering the over-30-month scheme than those applied to casualty animals before its introduction. The reasons for the increases are that there is now no residual value for the collectors in the hides or in the trimmings while their costs have actually increased as a result of the generally longer distances travelled to incineration sites. Against this, producers receive the full compensation rate under the OMTS rather than, as previously, a salvage value taking account of unusable parts of the carcass.