One of the farm groups, the ICMSA, has called on the Minister for Agriculture to introduce a special scheme for cows under the BSE destruction scheme by 1 February. At the moment, the cull scheme is operating as a support measure to take surplus animals off the market. It is mostly steers under 30 months of age which are being destroyed, but the focus is not yet on removing older cows - the most likely animals to be harbouring BSE.
Minister Joe Walsh has already indicated that he will consider a special scheme for cows. Now the ICMSA says that there is overwhelming support for a targeted cow scheme to be introduced immediately. Cows are currently getting less than steers under the destruction scheme. But the ICMSA says that payment must now be made more attractive and they are seeking a minimum of £350 an animal.
Meanwhile, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has said that it is gravely concerned at the accelerated rate of slaughter of cattle because of the BSE crisis. It has called for assurances from the Department of Agriculture that all animals brought to abattoirs receive humane treatment.
The Society also said that it understands that rather than being slaughtered in an abattoir, "fallen" or injured animals must now be put down on the farm and the carcass disposed of by a knacker. The ISPCA said that this means that the farmer does not receive compensation for the animal and in fact must pay about £25 for the knacker's service.
They say that this practice gives rise to serious welfare concerns, as many farmers will be tempted to leave injured animals to die rather than pay for their destruction and removal.
