Fallen Sheep Fund

Last month we wrote about the financial assistance for farmers to reimburse them for removing fallen sheep due to the adverse weather conditions.  DEFRA has made £250,000 available.  It has now released details on who can apply for this fund and how.  

The National Fallen Stock Company (NFSCo) will administer the scheme, although farmers do not have to be an NFSCo member or have used a collector who is a member to apply.  Applications from non-members need to be received by NFSCo by 30th June 2013.  Members do not have to do anything, NFSCo will use its own information to ascertain the details and will contact members in July to inform them of how much they are likely to receive; this should be paid into bank accounts by the end of July.  Farmers can claim up to 75% of the costs paid for disposal.  If total payments exceed £250,000, payments will have to be scaled back.

Eligibility is determined by post code and dates of collection.  Those who had fallen sheep collected between 1st April and 15th May from farms located in specific areas may be eligible for the scheme.  DEFRA in conjunction with the Met Office and the NFU have compiled a list of postcodes of eligible areas, this can be found at  http://www.nfsco.co.uk/pdf_files/Eligiblepostcodessheepaid201315052013134612.pdf.  Further information and an application form can be obtained from the NFSCo website at http://www.nfsco.co.uk/news-detail.php?NewsID=41