THE DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS ANIMALS

I am writing to express FAWC’s concern over the potential welfare problems which are being encountered in relation to the disposal of surplus sheep and calves, of which you will be aware. The Council welcomes the significant aid now earmarked for the livestock sector but we believe that the welfare of these animals could be increasingly compromised if further urgent action is not taken.

It is clear that the option for farmers to shoot surplus animals and dispose of them on the farm raises not only animal welfare problems but also public health issues. Therefore, a solution must be found, which is preferably cost neutral, whereby animals which have no market value can be disposed of humanely and in a sanitary manner.

We believe farmers would be willing to meet the cost of transporting animals to market, be they cull ewes or unwanted calves, provided they were assured that, in the case of a nil sale, the animals would be sent on for slaughter. I encourage your officials to promote discussion between auctioneers and local slaughter facilities or knackers to reach agreement that, at the end of a market session, unsold animals should be collected as a group for direct transfer to the place of slaughter. The cost of slaughter would normally be met by the sale of the carcase especially if supermarkets could be encouraged to take sheep meat for use as mutton mince. This is something that might warrant further consideration, in consultation with retail organisations.

With specific regard to calves, it is noted that the Ministry has prepared an aide-memoire to help farmers seeking advice on the welfare implications of ‘unwanted’ stock disposal and their legal obligations. Also, we recognise that the initiatives taken by the NFU, the MLC, the HSA and the Livestock Auctioneers Association have helped to a limited extent but it is likely the situation will worsen. The hunt kennels have offered assistance in some parts of the country but these outlets will soon reach saturation point.

Following the removal of the Calf Processing Aid Scheme, we understand that there is now spare capacity in the slaughter industry but it is not necessarily in the right geographical locations. Farmers need to be able to dispose of calves at local, low throughput slaughterhouses but many plants which could assist are now restricted to the killing of 20 livestock units per week for human consumption. We urge you to introduce a derogation for such plants to exceed this limit to allow them to kill surplus calves. The use of these premises would ensure that animals were humanely dispatched by trained and licensed slaughtermen, supervised by MHS personnel. Such controlled disposal also ensures that farmers are spared the onerous task of killing animals on-farm.

Additionally, FAWC believes that the use of the knacker system should be explored in greater depth, recognising that the movement of animals would be subject to the usual rules of transportation. If, for example, farmers were permitted to take live calves (and possibly cull ewes also) direct to the knacker for slaughter, this would provide a neutral cost system which is both humane and reflects public health interests.

Finally, we have sincere concerns over the destiny of animals, particularly cull ewes, currently being sold for very low prices at market. We believe that often these animals may be purchased by opportunistic dealers. It should be made absolutely clear that the conditions of housing and husbandry of these animals must comply with the normal welfare standards.

These are initial thoughts and our proposals require development by your officials. However, the situation is changing fast and potentially could result in a welfare problem that FAWC would find unacceptable and I am sure you will. There is a need to reach a base position where welfare is not compromised and the Council asks you to consider both these issues seriously.