Plans to slaughter and dispose of a quarter of a million lambs caught up in the foot-and-mouth crisis have been announced by the Scottish Government.
Plans to slaughter and dispose of a quarter of a million lambs caught up in the foot-and-mouth crisis have been announced by the Scottish Government.
The so-called "light lambs" are usually sold to a specific European market but the outbreak in England meant they could not be moved.
The so-called "light lambs" are usually sold to a specific European market but the outbreak in England meant they could not be moved.
The onset of winter and lack of grazing means the animals face starvation.
The onset of winter and lack of grazing means the animals face starvation.
Farmers will be paid £15 to send each animal to an abattoir in an incentive scheme estimated to cost up to £6m.
Farmers will be paid £15 to send each animal to an abattoir in an incentive scheme estimated to cost up to £6m.
The problem has come to the fore in Scotland ahead of the rest of the UK due to the colder climate and pasture on many hill farms now becoming thin.
The problem has come to the fore in Scotland ahead of the rest of the UK because of the colder climate and pasture on many hill farms now becoming thin.
The export markets for which the sheep are bred have been closed for most of the past two months and will only reopen on Friday.
The export markets for which the sheep are bred have been closed for most of the past two months and will only reopen on Friday.
'Facing starvation'
'Facing starvation'
Light lambs are usually roasted whole in Europe and there is little demand in the UK.
Light lambs are usually roasted whole in Europe but there is little demand in the UK.
Some carcasses will be used for biodiesel and the remainder will be incinerated.
Some carcasses will be used for biodiesel and the remainder will be incinerated.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said he had already received isolated reports of lambs dying and called on Westminster to cover the cost of the scheme.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said he had already received isolated reports of lambs dying and called on Westminster to cover the cost of the scheme.
"The foot-and-mouth crisis has left hundreds of thousands of sheep stranded on our hills facing starvation," he said.
"The foot-and-mouth crisis has left hundreds of thousands of sheep stranded on our hills facing starvation," he said.
There are already reports of livestock mortalities in these regions Mike FlynnSSPCA
There are already reports of livestock mortalities in these regions Mike FlynnSSPCA
"We cannot countenance the prospect of this continuing given the impact not only on the welfare of the animals but also on those farmers who would otherwise face watching their flocks starve to death."
"We cannot countenance the prospect of this continuing given the impact not only on the welfare of the animals but also on those farmers who would otherwise face watching their flocks starve to death."
He added that the moral and financial responsibility for this crisis lay with the UK Government.
He added that the moral and financial responsibility for this crisis lay with the UK Government.
"Action is needed now and we will provide funding on an emergency interim basis and seek to recover this from Defra in due course," Mr Lochhead said.
"Action is needed now and we will provide funding on an emergency interim basis and seek to recover this from Defra in due course," Mr Lochhead said.
Charles Milne, chief veterinary officer for Scotland, said the scheme was essential to prevent a catastrophe of animal suffering on a large scale.
Charles Milne, chief veterinary officer for Scotland, said the scheme was essential to prevent a catastrophe of animal suffering on a large scale.
Animal welfare
Animal welfare
"All animals entering the scheme would have been slaughtered and their meat exported," he said.
"All animals entering the scheme would have been slaughtered and their meat exported," he said.
"However, with the lack of availability of this market we must ensure that welfare of these animals is not compromised."
"However, with the lack of availability of this market we must ensure that welfare of these animals is not compromised."
The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it opposed the culling of animals unless there was a clear animal health or welfare issue.
The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it opposed the culling of animals unless there was a clear animal health or welfare issue.
Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, "There are already reports of livestock mortalities in these regions, and if the situation remains it will put these light lambs at severe risk of starving to death."
Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, "There are already reports of livestock mortalities in these regions, and if the situation remains it will put these light lambs at severe risk of starving to death."
Richard Lochhead called on Westminster to cover the costs
Richard Lochhead called on Westminster to cover the costs
Jim McLaren, president of the National Farmers Union Scotland, said it was a "disgrace" that the UK Government had failed to pay for the scheme.
Jim McLaren, president of the National Farmers Union Scotland, said it was a "disgrace" that the UK Government had failed to pay for the scheme.
He described the announcement as another dark day during an "autumn from hell" for the livestock industry.
He described the announcement as another dark day during an "autumn from hell" for the livestock industry.
"We have reports coming in of lambs dying already because the grass is gone and the weather is closing in," he said.
"We have reports coming in of lambs dying already because the grass is gone and the weather is closing in," he said.
"The condition of tens of thousands of lambs that are still on farms is rapidly deteriorating because of the lack of feed and, worse still, they are eating the grass that ewes rely on over the winter.
"The condition of tens of thousands of lambs that are still on farms is rapidly deteriorating because of the lack of feed and, worse still, they are eating the grass that ewes rely on over the winter.
"If our breeding flock suffers losses over the winter, the consequences for the long-term future of the Scottish sheep industry don't bear thinking about."
"If our breeding flock suffers losses over the winter, the consequences for the long-term future of the Scottish sheep industry don't bear thinking about."
'Verging on disaster'
'Verging on disaster'
Farmer Alan Young, from Tomatin in the Highlands, said: "These lambs are not going to be up to the market spec.
Farmer Alan Young, from Tomatin in the Highlands, said: "These lambs are not going to be up to the market spec.
"We would have liked a bit more but I think the scheme will generally be welcomed by hill farmers who have these little lambs.
"We would have liked a bit more but I think the scheme will generally be welcomed by hill farmers who have these little lambs.
"It looks like the best deal we are going to get this year."
"It looks like the best deal we are going to get this year."
John McDonald, a farmer in Grantown-on-Spey, added: "At least it's compensation. There are areas in the high ground where there's no ground to keep these lambs.
John McDonald, a farmer in Grantown-on-Spey, added: "At least it's compensation. There are areas in the high ground where there's no ground to keep these lambs.
"It's verging on a disaster."
"It's verging on a disaster."
Tory rural affairs and environment spokesman John Scott welcomed the scheme and backed the SNP administration in seeking compensation from Defra.
Tory rural affairs and environment spokesman John Scott welcomed the scheme and backed the SNP administration in seeking compensation from Defra.
"It's better late than never," he said.
"It's better late than never," he said.
Are you a farmer affected by this story? Who do you think should help pay costs? Send your comments using the form below.
Are you a farmer affected by this story? Who do you think should help pay costs? Send your comments using the form below.
