BSE slaughter scheme to begin on Monday

The mass slaughter of Irish cattle at risk from carrying BSE is just days away. As many as 25,000 animals per week will be destroyed starting on Monday, under a scheme worked out the Department of Agriculture. Farmers are holding out for compensation of 90p per pound as the bare minimum to avoid financial ruin. The President of the Irish Farmers Association, Tom Parlon, says he hopes the destruction of cattle over 30 months old can be done quickly.