Older Cattle Disposal Scheme (OCDS)
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What is the OCDS?
The OCDS is an exceptional market support measure providing for disposal of and compensation for cattle born before 1 August 1996. It started on 23 January 2006 and will end on 31 December 2008. It replaces the Over Thirty Month Scheme (OTMS), which was introduced in May 1996 to provide an outlet for cattle that could no longer enter the food or feed chain as a result of the Over Thirty Month (OTM) rule. On 7 November the OTM Rule was replaced by a robust BSE testing regime to allow cattle born after 1 August 1996 back into the food chain subject to testing negative to BSE. Further information about BSE and the OTM rule change is available on Defra's BSE pages.
Scheme Responsibility
The Rural Payments Agency will administer the OCDS as they have done for the OTMS and they have produced detailed scheme rules.
Animal Eligibility
The OCDS will only accept animals, including on farm casualties (see more on casualties below), that are born or reared within the United Kingdom before 1 August 1996 and would otherwise have been eligible for the food chain. The submission of cattle born or reared in the UK before 1 August 1996 to the OCDS will be on a voluntary basis but producers may be reminded that such animals will not be eligible for compensation after the OCDS comes to an end on 31 December 2008. Separate arrangements, such as the Fallen Stock Scheme will be made to dispose of the remaining pre-August 96 cattle beyond the OCDS as they come to the end of their productive lives. Compensation rates will be paid on a flat rate per animal for each of the 3 years of operation. In 2006 the compensation rate will be 360 Euros per head, 324 Euros in 2007 and 292 Euros in 2008.
It is important to note that Cattle born before 1 August 1996 cannot be slaughtered for human consumption and consignment of these animals to a fresh meat slaughterhouse will be an offence under new legislation.
Imported Animals
Only cattle born or reared in the UK before 1 August 1996 will be eligible for OCDS.
If any cow was born before 1 August 1996 but imported to the UK after 1 August 1996, this cow will be eligible for the food chain, subject to documentation checks and a negative test for BSE. Any animal submitted to the scheme but later found to be imported after 1 August 1996 will be rejected for compensation payment.
If an animal imported to the UK after 1 August 1996 is presented at an OCDS abattoir, it is ineligible for the scheme and compensation will not be paid.
If you have any queries regarding imported animals, please see the contact details below.
New Rules for Casualties from 1 January 2006
New rules on the emergency slaughter of animals came into place from 1 January 2006. From that date, where cattle are slaughtered on farm, only those animals that have suffered an accident will be eligible for human consumption. It is also the case that only those animals that have been emergency slaughtered on farm as a result of suffering an accident will be eligible for the OCDS.
Therefore, from 1 January 2006, if an animal is killed on farm for welfare reasons not associated with an accident, it is ineligible for entry into the OCDS and needs to be disposed of as fallen stock. All fallen stock aged over 24 months must be tested for BSE. For all cattle in GB aged over 24 months, please notify the TSE surveillance helpline on free phone 0800 525 890 for BSE testing and disposal free of charge. In Northern Ireland, please telephone 028 9262 1441. Contact
If you have any queries regarding the content of this information then please contact:
| Meat Trade Advice Unit |
| Area 5 D |
| 9 Millbank, c/o Nobel House, 17 Smith Square |
| London |
| SW1P 3JR |
| Telephone: 020 7238 6061 |
| email: LSDBranchCEnquires@Defra.GSI.GOV.UK |
Page last modified:03
August 2006
Page published: 16 August 2005