How the Scheme Works

Farmers - How the Scheme Works

Farmers register with the Scheme for the collection and disposal of fallen stock. For information about registering, please see the "Join" pages.

Upon becoming a member, farmers will receive a list of all the approved collectors operating in their local area and the prices that they charge.

Collections

When members have fallen stock they will contact a registered collector of their choice. Collectors are required to collect all species for which they have provided prices and may not refuse any reasonable request to collect stock.

On picking up the fallen stock, the collector is required to deliver a signed NFSCo receipt to the member. As acceptance of the accuracy of the receipt, the member should if possible, countersign the receipt. If this is not possible, an unsigned copy must be left at the member's address. The member must notify the collector within 72 hours of collection if no receipt has been received.

The member has 72 hours to dispute a receipt directly with the collector after which if it cannot be resolved it should be referred to NFSCo.

Payment

Members will receive a monthly statement from NFSCo summarising the categories and quantities of fallen stock collected.

The monthly statement will list both the actual cost of collection and the charge to the member after any Government contributions (where applicable). An NFSCo administration fee of £1.75 for members who receive statements by post or a reduced fee of £1.25 for those opting for email invoicing will be applied to the monthly statement - only if a member uses the service in the same month.

An annual compliance statement which will enable a farmer to show any compliance inspector an up to date record of all fallen stock collections through NFSCo over the past twelve months will be available.  There will be a small administration fee to cover report generation and printing of the annual compliance statement which will cost £4.65 plus VAT.  Members must contact NFSCo, preferably by email, if they do not wish to receive the compliance statement which will be invoiced on the 31st January annually.

Members have 14 days to dispute any items on the statement. After this time, NFSCo will debit the member for undisputed amounts using the variable direct debit mandate set up at registration.

Horse Owners – How the Scheme Works

Although horse owners can join at the time an animal dies they may wish to join in advance to save having to go through the procedure for registering for the Scheme at what may be a distressing time

On registering for the Scheme the horse owner will be given, details of collectors and premises operating in their area including prices for a variety of collection and disposal services such as;

  • disposal only
  • putting down the animal by the collector
  • collecting an animal after it has been put down by a vet
  • an urgent request for attendance
  • out of hours attendance
  • roadside attendance
  • incineration and return of ashes

On requiring the service, the owner will contact their preferred collector and make the required arrangements.

Payment

Members will receive a statement from NFSCo summarising the services used. An NFSCo administration fee of £1.75 for members who receive statements by post or a reduced fee of £1.25 for those opting for email invoicing will be applied to the monthly statement - only if a member uses the service in the same month. Payment will then be collected 14 days later by direct debit.

Collectors – How the Scheme Works

All premises approved under the animal by-products regulations are able to register as collectors for NFSCo including;

  • Knackers
  • Hunt kennels
  • Maggot farms
  • Renderers
  • Incinerators

Collectors without premises must make their own arrangements for the legal disposal of fallen stock with the approved premises of their choice.

Charges

Collectors provide charges for the postcodes in which they wish to operate;

  1. on a headage basis for cattle, sheep, pigs and horses and;
  2. on a weight or volume basis of a standard container for all species.

Charges are reviewed and updated throughout the year through re-pricing exercises.

Collections

Members contact a collector when they have fallen stock and arrange a suitable time for the stock to be collected. A signed receipt is left for the member with details of the collection.

Payment

Collectors submit a monthly invoice to NFSCo providing details of the members, collection points, species, categories, quantities of fallen stock collected and charges during the month.

Payments to collectors will be made by NFSCo within six weeks of the date of the member’s monthly statement.

Audit

The SVS on behalf of NFSCo carries out audits of specific Scheme requirements at each plant registered to the Scheme and each collector using these establishments to ensure they comply both with the provisions of the ABPR where they apply to the Scheme and supplementary provisions required by NFSCo.