Originally from: mona parr
                        
Farmers will get backdated subsidies they should have been able to claim on cattle taken into the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme (LWDS) during the 2001 foot and mouth disease outbreak.

The government will pay Slaughter Premium, with interest from 1 July 2002, on 162,000 adult cattle slaughtered in abattoirs under the LWDS.

Animals suspected of having foot and mouth disease were slaughtered on farms and were not eligible for Slaughter Premium, a CAP subsidy, while those whose welfare was affected by movement restrictions were eligible for the LWDS operated mainly through abattoirs.

The government advised that cattle killed under the LWDS would not be eligible for Slaughter Premium, and farmers did not claim the money.

After reviewing the position, the government has decided to make ex gratia payments equivalent to the Slaughter Premium entitlement, plus interest, on all adult cattle killed in abattoirs under the LWDS.

This decision does not affect the position on animals killed on farms during the foot and mouth outbreak, where Slaughter Premium is not payable.

Farmers will not have to do anything to claim the money, payments will be made automatically by the Rural Payments Agency from 8 December with the majority being made by the end of the year.

The government has informed farming unions.

Notes for editors

1. Payments will be made only on adult cattle entered into the LWDS and slaughtered in abattoirs.

2. Payments will be automatically based on the records held by the Rural Payments Agency.

3. Farmers who have not received payment by 31 December can contact the Rural Payments Agency on 0191 226 5293 / 5314 / 5327.

4. For more information go to <A HREF="http://www.rpa.gov.uk/">www.rpa.gov.uk</A>