§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to support farmers with the cost of collection of non-bovine animal carcases from 1 April. [101768]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 7 March 2003]: The Government are already voluntarily contributing nearly £30 million annually for the collection and disposal of fallen stock for TSE testing purposes. The Government have been discussing with the livestock industry how we can build on the arrangements that are already in place to develop a wider service for collecting fallen stock when the new animal by-products regulation banning burial comes into force from 1 May. Any further progress is dependent upon the willingness of the livestock industry to make a financial contribution to a national scheme.