Scottish farmers urged to contact local authority if they come across flood-killed livestock

Farmers who have come across flood-killed livestock on their land that don’t belong to them are advised to contact their local authority.

With the recent devastating floods, a small number of producers saw livestock lost in severely swollen rivers, with the potential for those animals to be washed onto other people’s land.

Those who have found flood-killed fallen animals on their land that do not belong to them can contact their local authority, which will then trace the owner and arrange for the animals to be uplifted. If possible, farmers are being asked to keep a note of the ear tag numbers.

Even if the unidentified carcasses have already been uplifted, farmers should still contact the local authority.

If flood-killed stock remain on the owner’s farm, then farmers should make arrangements for removal and collection of the fallen stock in the usual way.

NFU Scotland’s Livestock Chairman Charlie Adam commented: “The recent flooding has damaged many farm businesses across Scotland and we have had some reports of livestock being swept away in the floods. As a result, some members are finding carcasses on their land now that the waters have subsided.

“After speaking to the Scottish Government we now have clear guidance that farmers should contact their local authority if you find someone else’s dead animals on your land.”