Written - Foot And Mouth Disease: Welfare Disposal Scheme for Light Lambs

One of the key concerns in the current foot and mouth outbreak has been the risk that welfare problems will arise in respect of light hill lambs, which are bred chiefly for export. This is a particular issue for Wales given the numbers of light lambs born and reared here, and our heavy reliance on the export trade for selling them. The export trade normally runs between August and February. I have therefore been giving very careful consideration, in consultation with stakeholders, to the case for a welfare scheme to provide for unwanted light lambs to be humanely slaughtered, to ensure that welfare problems do not arise for light lambs that do not have a market.

The news yesterday that export markets will reopen from 12 October is very welcome indeed, but regrettably does not remove the need for a welfare disposal scheme. The disruption to the export trade since August means that there is already a substantial backlog of lambs that would by now have been exported. In addition, the conditions set on the export arrangements are very strict and it is clear that it will take some time before exports return to their normal level. I have taken action to try to increase domestic consumption of lamb, including light lamb, but this will not bridge the gap. I am therefore seeking authorisation under the European Commission’s state aid procedures, to run a light lamb disposal scheme in Wales. The proposal is that farmers would be paid £15 per light lamb submitted to the scheme, well below market rates. If no GB funding is available, then the costs will be met by the Welsh Assembly Government from non-agricultural budgets. Subject to approval by the Commission, the scheme would commence as quickly as possible.