McGrigor backs local NFU calls for retention of Hatston Cull Centre

Orkney farmers could be forced to slaughter large numbers of cattle on local farms if the Hatston Cull Centre is lost.

That’s according to Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor who has written to the Scottish Executive over concerns raised by NFU Orkney that a new system, announced just before Christmas, might see animals taken to Brechin to be culled.

Jamie McGrigor said “This situation has come about because the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) rejected a tender submitted by Orkney Islands Council to provide a service under the Older Cattle Disposal Scheme.

“Despite the obvious impact this would have, NFU Orkney have advised me that they were given little notice of the changes, the impact of which was magnified because many of the agencies involved were closed for the holidays.

“They are understandably concerned that, as well as the costs involved, this risks putting extra strain on already stretched livestock shipping services, as well as raising animal welfare issues with significant number of animals a year having to be slaughtered on Orkney’s farms because they are unable to cope with the long journeys required.

“These, of course, as fallen stock will have no value and this raises both serious economic and welfare issues. NFU Orkney believe a reasonable compromise would be for facilities on Orkney to be retained for a further year to 18months, thus allowing a reduction of pre-1996 cattle, restructuring of herds and for the new livestock transport system to bed in.

”While this may cost more than the Brechin option, surely both the welfare issues and potential economic impact on farmers in Orkney make this a sensible and preferred option, and I have written to Ross Finnie to make just that point.”

The changes will take effect when the Over Thirty Month Scheme (OTMS) is replaced with the Older Cattle Disposal Scheme (OCDS) from 23rd January 2006. The last day of operation for the Hatston Cull Centre in Kirkwall is scheduled for 18th January 2006 and Mr McGrigor has asked Mr Finnie to deal with the matter urgently.