Foot and Mouth Disease: Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme

HL Deb 10 April 2001 vol 624 cc103-4WA

Lord Hanningfield

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will give higher priority to making possible voluntary slaughter schemes for livestock which have been at risk of contact with foot and mouth disease and cannot now be moved because the farms are in a restricted area, as took place in Norfolk and Suffolk following the outbreak of swine fever. [H11346]

Baroness Hayman

The Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme was opened to applicants on 22 March 2001. As with the Pig Welfare Disposal Scheme in Norfolk and Suffolk last year, this voluntary slaughter scheme is intended to help resolve serious animal welfare difficulties arising from disease control measures which cannot be alleviated by movement under licence or in other ways. It is not a market support measure. The generous rates of payment announced will apply for two months and be reviewed before expiry of the period. The Government will meet the costs of transport, slaughter and disposal of animals under the scheme.