Last chance for OCDS compensation

- Published: 15 October, 2008

Livestock keepers have been given one last change to register for the Older Cattle Disposal Scheme (OCDS), which is set to end on 31 December.

Cattle producers have been given one last chance to register their animals for slaughter under the Older Cattle Disposal Scheme (OCDS), which is set to end on 31 December.

Although the booking-in system closed on 30 September, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has analysed the slaughter capacity and advised that there are still a limited number of slaughter slots available.

The NFU is encouraging producers to take advantage of this opportunity to gain compensation for any of the remaining cattle born or reared in the UK before 1 August 1996.

NFU vice president Paul Temple said: "We have pushed to ensure that as many producers as possible are able to make use of the scheme and gain compensation, so this is clearly the last chance saloon.

"The NFU is working extremely hard with other stakeholders to lobby Defra and we will be writing to the minister to ensure that any anticipated collection and disposal costs for bovines are as low as possible for producers when the OCDS finally closes on December 31."

Farmers are reminded that when booking a slaughter slot, the animal's ear tag number is provided along with a valid CPH number.