January 23, 2009

Cattle farmers in Ireland are seeking compensation over contaminated feed, stating they will go out of business unless they have received reparation.

The High Court in Belfast said the farmers want the government to pay them the value of their animals due to restrictions imposed on eight farms in stopping their meat from entering the food chain.

The Stormont – the executive government in Scotland -- has agreed to introduce a cull and disposal scheme to remove the animals at the centre of the scare but will only pay for slaughter and rendering of cattle worth up to GBP4 million.

The owners of five herds are seeking to review the joint ministerial position in a bid to receive payouts to cope with what their barrister described as "dire circumstances".

Mr Justice Weatherup, who is hearing the case, will have a judicial review of the case next week.