Detailed records vital for foot-and-mouth claims

By FWi staff

LIVESTOCK farmers should keep detailed records of consequential losses caused by animal movement restrictions designed to reduce the spread of foot-and-mouth, says the Country Land and Business Association.

Other businesses, including livestock markets, small abattoirs and hauliers who are suffering should also keep track of losses, says the CLAs Oliver Harwood. “This will provide key evidence to help secure compensation.”

Although the government has announced a 152m agrimoney compensation package to help livestock farmers through the crisis, other businesses will not benefit.

And agrimoney, although welcome, is an entirely separate issue, designed to offset the effects of the strong Pound,” says Mr Harwood. “We will be arguing for more.”

Given the other problems that beset the industry before the foot-and-mouth outbreak, it is now a question of disaster relief, he believes.

Farmers should make daily or weekly records of the losses incurred during the outbreak, says the CLA, including details of cattle which have not been able to go to slaughter and which have passed the over-30-month-scheme deadline.

Farmers should also record details of all finished stock which, as a result of the movement freeze, have gone over the top on finish because they could not be marketed.