HL Deb 27 March 1998 vol 587 c264WA
Lord Hardy of Wath

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What evidence they have received concerning the unofficial disposal of cattle infected by bovine spongiform encephalopathy; and whether they consider that such disposal is due to the reduction in compensation and the wish to ensure that herds are certified as free of the disease. [HL1108]

Lord Donoughue

We have received no evidence that BSE suspects are being disposed of unofficially. There have been allegations that farmers are burying BSE suspects on-farm because there is no financial incentive for them to report such cases to the Government. But these cattle are worth between £546 and £682 in compensation to the farmer. If such cattle are buried on-farm, the farmer will receive nothing and will be committing an offence.

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