§ The Earl of Caithnessasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why under the TSE (England) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/843) the market value of a sheep or goat slaughtered under Regulation 81 or 82 is limited when the value of a pedigree stock may be in excess of the maximum stated. [HL4415]
§ Lord WhittyCompensation arrangements in the TSE (England) Regulations 2002 precisely mirror those in place prior to 19 April 2002 under the Sheep and Goats Spongiform Encephalopathy (England and Wales) (Compensation) (Amendment) Order 2001. This order substantially increased the amount of compensation paid for suspected scrapie animals which are compulsorily slaughtered for diagnosis in order to encourage farmers to report their suspicion of the disease.
The rate of compensation paid where a suspect animal is compulsorily slaughtered but the subsequent laboratory examination is unable to confirm the disease is linked to the true replacement cost but limited to a maximum of £400. In addition to this, Defra will pay the diagnosis and carcass disposal costs. Of course such animals were showing signs of a serious neurological disease when they were slaughtered and would very likely have died anyway. It is expected that owners of exceptionally valuable animals would have private insurance arrangements in place.