SOUTH Shropshire and Midlands livestock producers who have failed to register interest in a scheme to deal with the disposal of fallen stock were today warned: Support it or lose it.

The National Farmers Union stressed that farmers need to take advantage of a Defra decision to extend a deadline for joining the scheme or face the costly alternative of paying in full for collection and disposal of fallen stock.

Farmers in Shropshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire have until May 28 to respond to the letters sent out to the nation's 111,000 livestock holdings.

Defra needs more than 50 per cent of farmers to register their support in order for the scheme to be viable, but claims the response has so far been disappointing.

Farmers can take advantage of the extra time granted by the government by calling Defra's helpline on 0845 850 7070 and registering interest in the scheme.

NFU West Midlands regional public relations officer Russell Griffin said the level of response so far meant there was a real possibility that the target would not be met.

"Only 30 per cent of farmers have pledged support. At this rate the target won't be met and the scheme won't get off the ground," said Mr Griffin.

"Let's be clear. If this scheme fails to generate the required support, farmers will be faced with the full commercial cost of disposing of animal carcasses."

The scheme is Defra's response to the EU Animal By-products Regulation, which made the on-farm burial of animal carcasses illegal from 1 May.

Under the proposed subscription scheme, there will be a three-tier payment system with smallholdings paying £50 per year, medium sized farms paying £100/year and large farms £200.

"Defra is effectively offering to heavily subsidise farmers to comply with the new laws but has made it clear that the offer won't be on the table for long if producers aren't interested," said Mr Griffin.

"Farmers who have not responded need to consider the cost of negotiating individual collections with knackermen and renderers.

"This is an opportunity for the industry to help itself and we very much hope that it is one it will take," he added.

Food and Farming Minister Elliott Morley said he was surprised by the lack of response when he gave evidence to the Environment Food and Rural Affairs select committee on the implementation of the Regulation.

"I must repeat that if we do not get 50 per cent of support, the subscription scheme will not go ahead," he added.

Details of the EU Animal By-Products Regulation can be found on the Defra web at http://www.defra.gov.uk

/animalh/by-prods/default.htm