PRODUCERS ADVICE NOTE
Introduction
The Sheep Welfare Scheme (SWS) commenced on 9 October 2007 and will operate for a maximum period of 10 weeks. This is a voluntary welfare scheme for light lambs (i.e. those under 25kg liveweight.) for which there is now no domestic or export market. The scheme is only open to Scottish producers who submit lambs born in Scotland, as evidenced by their flock number. Cast ewes and other sheep are not eligible. Meat from animals entering the scheme will not enter the food chain.
Please note that the Sheep Welfare Scheme will come to an end on 18 December 2007. Only those light lambs accepted into the scheme by the collection centre by that date will be eligible for the flat rate payment of £15. After 18 December there will be no scheme which compensates producers for the disposal of their animals.
Responsibilities
- Producers are required to transport their lambs to designated collection centres.
- Producers must contact collection centres to pre-book their lambs into the scheme.
- Lambs will be booked into the system on a first come, first served basis (unless it has been previously agreed that serious welfare issues exist and the animals involved should be given priority.)
- The collection centres will be responsible for notifying the Scottish Animal Movement Unit.
Payment
- Producers will receive £15 per head for light lambs (under 25kg) delivered to collection centres.
- Producers will receive payment directly from the collection centre.
- No fee will be paid for lambs that are dead on arrival at the collection centre or unfit for onward transport to the abattoir.
- Producers will be notified, by the collection centre, within 24 hours of arrival of the lambs, whether any are ineligible for payment and the reasons why. No compensation will be paid for ineligible animals.
Contact details for Markets who will operate as Collection Centres
Castle Douglas - Wallets Marts Castle Douglas Ltd - 01556 502 381
Dalmally - UA Livestock Ltd - 01631 562233 or 07771 644507
Dingwall - Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - 01349 863252
Forfar - Lawrie & Symington Ltd - 01307 462651
Fort William - Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - 01349 863252
Huntly - UA Livestock Ltd - 01466 792148
Isles of Lewis and Harris (Stornoway) - Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - 01349 863252
Isle of Skye (Portree) - Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd - 01349 863252
Islay - UA Livestock Ltd - 01631 562233 or 07771 644507
Lanark - Lawrie & Symington Ltd - 01555 662281
Mull - Caledonian Marts (Stirling) Ltd 01631 570631
Newtown St Boswells - John Swan Ltd - 01835 822214
Oban - Caledonian Marts (Stirling) Ltd - 01631 570631
Orkney - Orkney Auction Mart Ltd - 01856 872520
Perth - UA Livestock Ltd - 01738 626183
Shetland - Shetland Livestock Marketing Group - 01595 696300
South Uist - UA Livestock - 01631 562233 or 07771 644507
Stirling - Caledonian Marts - 01786 450922
Thainstone - Aberdeen & Northern Marts Ltd - 01467 623700
Wick - Aberdeen & Northern Marts Ltd - 01955 621363