The Government said yesterday it would initially adopt a "light-touch approach" to new regulations banning the burial and burning of dead livestock on farms.
New European regulations come into force on May 1 preventing farmers from disposing of fallen stock - typically old and injured animals - in traditional ways on their land.
With the deadline looming, farmers' leaders and the Government finally agreed last week on a national scheme to arrange collection and disposal of animals, details of which emerged yesterday.
The voluntary scheme will involve farmers with a small holding paying £50 a year, medium-sized holdings £100 a year and large farms £200 a year.
Despite previous claims that the full costs should be borne by the industry, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has agreed to contribute up to £10m in additional funding in the first year, decreasing over the following two years.
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