§ Earl Peelasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they intend to recommence the Over Thirty Months Scheme for the disposal of cattle; and [HL364]
What contingency plans they have prepared to deal with the estimated 250,000 backlog of cattle that would have been disposed of under the Over Thirty Months Scheme but for the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. [HL365]
§ Lord WhittyThe Over Thirty Month Scheme (OTMS) has been suspended in most of the UK since the first outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in February. The only exceptions have been in Northern Ireland and the Orkney Islands together with the arrangements for eligible OTMS casualty animals slaughtered on farm.
The Government have kept the situation under constant review and have been very much aware of industry concerns that a backlog of animals was developing on farms. However, the fight against foot-and-mouth disease remains the overriding priority and therefore has first call on processing capacity whenever it is needed.
As my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs predicted last week, the Rural Payments Agency has now advised Agriculture Ministers that there is sufficient disposal capacity to restart the OTMS in Great Britain. OTMS started again in Scotland on 23 July, and we hope that it will be possible to restart it in England on 30 July.