Information for farmers - England, Scotland and Wales
The free collections and disposal service for fallen cattle aged over 24 months is ending
If you cannot send your carcase to a sampling site e.g. because it is inaccessible, please contact the new VLA Helpline 08456 011367
From 1st January 2009
Cattle aged under 24 months
- There are no changes to this category.
- Cattle keepers must make their own arrangements for collections and disposal
- TSE Testing of these animals is not required
Cattle aged 24-48 months
- Cattle keepers must make their own arrangements for collection and disposal
- TSE Testing of these animals is not required
Cattle aged over 48 months
- These animals continue to require TSE testing
- Cattle keepers must contact fallen cattle helpline 0800 525890 for free collection, testing and disposal
Cattle born before 1 August 1996
- Cattle born before 1 August 1996 remain permanently excluded from the food chain.
- They can only be disposed of as fallen stock, requiring TSE testing.
OCDS (Older Cattle Disposal Scheme)
- The Older Cattle Disposal Scheme will close - no compensation is available after this date.
From 12th January 2009
You are not required to notify fallen stock to the RPA helpline
Cattle aged under 24months
- There are no changes to this category.
- Cattle keepers must make their own arrangements for collections and disposal
- TSE Testing of these animals is not required
Cattle aged 24-48months
- Cattle keepers must make their own arrangements for collection and disposal
- TSE Testing of these animals is not required
Cattle aged over 48 months
- These animals continue to require TSE testing
- Free collection service will end on 12 January 2009
- Any carcases not notified by midnight on 11 January will become the responsibility of cattle keepers
- Carcases must be sent to approved sampling sites
- There are certain exceptions for the Scottish Islands
Frequently Asked Questions
After 12th January 2009 what should a Cattle Keeper do with fallen cattle over 48 months of age?
Cattle keepers must contact a collector within 48 hours of death to arrange delivery to an approved sampling site. If delivering the carcase themselves they should contact an approved sampling site to agree this within 24 hours and must deliver the carcase within a further 48 hours.
Collectors must deliver these carcases to a sampling site within 48 hours of agreeing to provide a collection service or of a body coming into their possession, whichever is the sooner.
Should the passport go with the animal to the approved sampling site?
No. Please add the barcode sticker to a movement card from the passport and send it with the carcase. Passports should be sent to bcms.
What about cattle for human consumption?
The age for testing cattle slaughtered for human consumption will also increase from over 30 months to over 48 months, so cattle aged between 30 and 48 months will no longer need to be tested. However, all cattle aged over 30 months (OTM) must still be sent to approved OTM abattoirs due to rules on the removal of SRM, including vertebral column, pending a review by the Food Standards Agency