SCOTTISH Government inspectors will attend a Fife farm to verify the slaughter of 271 cattle after an inspection found the animals were "unidentifiable and untraceable".
The farm in Fife runs Aberdeen Angus and Belted Galloway cattle. The number of cattle due to be slaughtered is thought to make it one of the largest incidents of its kind in Scotland.
The business is not expected to receive compensation for the destroyed animals, which could be worth up to £500,000. It may also be liable for the costs associated with having the animals slaughtered.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “While undertaking a Cattle Identification and Traceability Inspection at the farm, Scottish Government Inspectors found non-compliance with regulations.
“Identification and Traceability regulations for livestock must be adhered with for disease prevention, control, eradication and the protection of public health.
“During the inspection 271 animals were found to be unidentifiable and untraceable which means they cannot enter the food chain and are placed under a permanent movement restriction.
“In this case the business has taken the difficult decision to slaughter the animals – Scottish Government inspectors will attend to verify the slaughter.”
The severity of the traceability breach means the business could have up a 100% reduction in farm support payments from the Scottish Government.
Scottish Government guidance states that livestock identification, registration and movement rules are legal requirements designed to support disease prevention, control, eradication and public health protection.
For cattle, keepers are legally required to report births, deaths and movements to ScotEID, with inspection action potentially including movement restrictions, slaughter notices, subsidy reductions or legal action where keepers fail to meet requirements.
The farm business has been contacted for comment.
