§ Lord Palmerasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Whitty on 24 October (WA 134) about the cost to public funds of the foot and mouth epidemic, when they will be in a position to give the cost of the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme. [HL1092]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty)It will be possible to give the final estimated cost of the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme after it has closed to applicants. The scheme closes on 31 December 2001 and will not be repeated next year. To date, the combined costs of the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme and Light Lamb Scheme are approximately £400 million. A little over half of this has been payments to farmers and the rest is made up by the costs of processing the animals, including transport, slaughter and disposal of carcases. The final cost will depend on demand for the scheme between now and the end of the year.