TORY MP Peter Luff has highlighted the plight of a Worcestershire farmer who risks losing thousands of pounds because of changes to the foot-and-mouth compensation scheme.

Mr Luff told members of the House of Commons that Jeremy Boaz had 130 lambs waiting to be taken to the abattoir for slaughter.

Mr Boaz, of Willow Bough farm, in Grafton Flyford, near Pershore, would normally have expected to receive £50 to £60 for each animal.

But he is prevented from moving his healthy lambs because his farm is close to a foot-and-mouth infected farm.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Mr Luff told a Commons debate the farmer was faced with the prospect of the sheep being killed under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme.

Nothing

He said changes announced to the scheme by Nick Brown, the Agriculture Minister, meant he would only receive £28.80 per animal.

If he kills them because he cannot afford to feed them, he will get nothing.

Farmers whose animals are killed because they are at the centre of an outbreak receive the full price.

"The farm that caused the outbreak that led to the restriction is, quite rightly, receiving full compensation for its animals," said Mr Luff.

"Can such injustice be justified?"

Mr Brown said he hoped that by the middle of next week, the farmer would be able to move his animals commercially.

The Minister said he would then be able to receive a "proper price" in the market place.