Subsidies for fallen stock

29th March 2013

Compensation is available to help farmers meet the costs of disposing of animals lost due to the current severe weather.

The Scottish Government has made available £500,000 to help meet costs incurred.

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said:“The severe weather parts of Scotland have been experiencing just now has been making life extremely difficult for our hard-working farmers as they battle against the unseasonal conditions.

“Tragically, many will have incurred significant losses though the number of dead animals will not be known until the snow has thawed. I know this is deeply distressing for farmers to see so many animals suffering and dying, particularly during the lambing season which is normally a season of birth not death.

“These farmers will undoubtedly incur additional costs for farmers to dispose of the carcases which is why we have made support available..

“We are determined to provide what help and support we can and we will continue to assess what is needed in coming days and weeks.

“In the short-term, our staff will remain available throughout the Easter weekend to offer help and advice and can be contacted on 0300 244 9340.”

Details of the scheme are still being finalised but it will work on similar principles to 2010. The amount payable per animal will depend on the number of casualties.

To take advantage of the compensation scheme farmers need to be members of the Fallen Stock Company and have their animals collected by a firm which is also a member.