FALLEN STOCK DISPOSAL

Early day motion 732, tabled 12 February 2003 by Adam Price (Plaid Cymru). Signed by 31 members.

That this House notes that following the implementation of the EU Animal By Products Regulations into United Kingdom law, it will be illegal to bury fallen livestock on farms; further notes that the aims of the national collection scheme are to protect the environment and public health; acknowledges that the farming industry accepts the principle of a national collection scheme; contends that the responsibility for financing any national scheme should fall on the Government as is the case with most other livestock producing member states; further notes that the Government's current proposals will cause additional financial problems for beleaguered farmers who are facing their worst crisis since the 1930s; regrets that these extra costs will place Welsh, Scottish, English and Northern Irish farmers at a competitive disadvantage to their European competitors; believes that the industry is in no position to accommodate these proposals; and calls on the Government to postpone the introduction of these regulations until the industry is in a position to accommodate the new regulations.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 11, Labour 9, Plaid Cymru 4, DUP 2, Scottish National Party 2, UUP 2, Conservative 1.