The NFU is calling for a fair price structure for collecting and disposing of deadstock under the National Fallen Stock Scheme, ahead of the upcoming tendering deadline for collectors.

The scheme, which has been running since November 2004, was jointly set up by Government and the farming industry following the implementation of the Animal By-Products Regulations in July 2003. The scheme exposed the fragility of the existing infrastructure and since then huge variations in the prices being charged by collectors have caused frustration amongst farmers.

Thomas Binns, NFU North West Livestock Board Chairman, said: "We are urging producers to query the prices they are being charged by those collecting and disposing of fallen stock. Prices are varying by huge amounts with farmers being charged between £9-£40 for a sheep over 12 months and £30-£100 for cattle from 12-24 months.

"Competition is affecting prices with farmers in areas with a lower density of livestock being charged much higher prices. We are urging collectors to look at ways of making their business more efficient to enable costs to be cut."

The NFU are also lobbying to keep the cost of the rendering process down and to put a cap on the cost of rendering waste going to landfill.