NEARLY 65,000 animals have been culled in North and West Yorkshire as part of the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme - a last resort for farmers whose stock are affected by foot and mouth restrictions.

Wheatley Grange Farm in Burley-in-Wharfedale is just one of the farms to be forced into culling animals, with 12 cows and four calves killed because of livestock movement restrictions.

The disposal scheme, run by the Government's Intervention Board, is for farmers whose animals are affected by restrictions, are suffering welfare problems and for whom there is no alternative solution through movement to slaughter into the food chain, welfare movement licensing schemes, or on-farm management.

Farmers receive payments for the culls, but the board stresses it is by no means a compensation scheme, and payment relates only to resolving a welfare problem, not to the value of the livestock.

Since the scheme began in March this year, 68,335 animals have been killed in the North and West Yorkshire area. The figure relates only to farmers who have actually received their welfare reimbursements, so it is thought that the number is even larger.

Around a million-and-a-half animals have been killed nationwide under the scheme, and the number is set to grow as restrictions remain firmly in place.

A spokeswoman for Wheatley Grange farm, who didn't wish to be named, said that overcrowding in farms due to breeding was leading to the welfare problems, but she praised the Government's role in the scheme.

"I really do think that the Government have handled the scheme wel. Iit is so the animals don't suffer.

"There's overstocking in farms and that's why some animals need to be killed, there just isn't the room.

"It's happening all over the country but it's not a big thing, it's actually something that needs to be done - ultimately it's for the animals' welfare."