FARMERS' leaders have expressed concern over new payment rates introduced in a reform of the livestock welfare disposal scheme.

The NFU made strong representations to the government following the announcement by food chain minister Lord Whitty on Tuesday.

Lord Whitty said payment rates and categories of animals had been adjusted to reflect seasonal and market changes and would be reviewed in September.

The NFU was concerned at the new rates, particularly for sheep, and urged the minister to ensure the scheme operated efficiently and payment delays were reduced.

A spokesman said: "The minister accepted that payment delays must be cut and made it clear that this autumn's sheep arrangements would be carried out as part of the LWDS."

National Pig Association producer group chairman Mr Stewart Houston welcomed the fact that pig rates would not be cut, but said the £30 rate for cull sows was already too low for the industry.

Announcing the changes, Lord Whitty said the LWDS had slaughtered in excess of 1.2m animals from more than 8,000 premises. More than £105m had been paid to farmers.

Applications were processed as quickly as possible but an increasing number were rejected, or animals were withdrawn, as other ways of resolving welfare problems were introduced.

"Wherever possible, we want to see animals kept for the future or go into the meat market," he said. "Nonetheless, I am concerned to ensure that those farmers who remain under restrictions continue to have access to a welfare disposal scheme. The scheme will therefore remain in place throughout Great Britain for the time being."

Eligible applications under the existing rules and rates are accepted up to 5pm tonight. New rules and payments apply from Monday, when applications must be on the new form and sent, by post, to: Intervention Board, Lancaster House, Hampshire Court, Newcastle NE4 7YE.

The new payment rates are. - Sheep: all lamb less than 30kg lwt: 35p lwt (av batch weight) capped at £10 per animal; 30kg lwt and over: 70p/kg lwt (av batch weight) capped at £25 per animal; other sheep: £18 per head. Cattle: clean cattle 7-30 months: 65p/kg lwt capped at £365; cows/heifers over 21 months: up to 4 years £700, over 4 years £350; calves to 7 months: free collection and disposal; clean cattle over 30 months: pre- FMD OTMS cull cow rate, av batch weight by consignment. Pigs: £12 plus 55p/kg lwt (ave batch weight) capped at £45 per animal; sows and boars: £30 per head; other (deer, poultry, wild boar etc): 70pc of valuation