MAFF cull claim tips
MAFF cull claim tips
COMPENSATION claims against MAFF need not be limited to the value of culled livestock, believes solicitor Burges Salmon.
The firm points out that much of the advice it is now giving to clients is focusing on the issue of consequential losses that go beyond "per head" compensation.
But partner William Neville says the firm is not advocating a claim by every affected farmer. "We are looking at cases where MAFF has been negligent in following its own guidelines.
"An extreme example of this could be where MAFF turned up at the wrong address and animals on a farm outside the contiguous area were culled." Another instance could be where a farm only became contiguous due to MAFF inefficiency.
However, MAFF maintains its stance that no payments will be made for consequential losses. "We cant compensate for every loss. Where we would we draw the line?" says a ministry spokeswoman. *