Livestock: Waste Disposal

Mr. Laurence Robertson
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Fallen Stock Scheme in containing diseases; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick
In October 2009 the National Fallen Stock Company (NFSCo), which runs the National Fallen Stock Scheme, was transferred from Government ownership to become a Community Interest Company. However, the scheme continues to provide an excellent service, has a growing farmer membership, and ensures that strict biosecurity conditions are applied to the collection and disposal of fallen stock to help prevent the spread of disease.