NFSCo (The National Fallen Stock Company) has introduced a new ‘Fallen Stock Collection Point’ sign, which farmers can use to indicate to collectors where all of a farm’s fallen animals will be left for collection.
The intention is that this will result in better farm biosecurity, with greater discipline for farm staff, enhanced clarity for collectors and a reduced contact risk from a collector’s vehicle. These can be purchased for £10 plus VAT by contacting member@nfsco.co.uk
NFSCo reaches the age of 21 this week. Set up back in in 2004 to ensure fair pricing and competition for fallen stock collections, the unique bespoke business model developed for the sector has stood the test of time, and is unchanged in principle from those formative years, according to its chairman Charles Bourns.
He is using the organisation’s anniversary to remind its 43,000+ farmer members of the need for continued or enhanced biosecurity given the threat from the many animal diseases currently circulating, include for, pigs, swine dysentery, and in other sectors bluetongue, avian influenza, Schmallenberg and bovine TB and, in Europe African swine fever and, recently foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Germany.
“NFSCo has been fortunate over our 21 years to work with brilliant and extremely professional collectors, tens of thousands of members, and an excellent administration team at Ian Potter Marketing Services Limited. I would like to thank them all for their commitment to NFSCo,” said Mr Bourns. “
“During our history we have faced many challenges, not least disease outbreaks, bad weather disasters, and fiscal challenges, but by working together we have conquered them all. Credit goes to our previous chairman Michael Seals for steering NFSCo through those until his retirement in 2024.
“I, and the rest of the Board, are very proud of our track record, and of helping to turn the collection industry into a modern, efficient, competitive and technology focussed business that has streamlined the collection process and invoicing procedures.”
Complacency
Mr Bourns warned against animal disease complacency with all of the current diseases circulating, and with climate change bringing ever greater risks. Scientists are warning that shifts in the temperature, rainfall and other factors will influence the type and incidences of disease in both wildlife and domesticated animals by changing the interaction between the pathogens, the vectors, and the animals themselves. Heat stress can also make animals more susceptible to disease.
“It all means we can’t sit back on our laurels. Biosecurity has to be a top priority on farms, so I urge extra vigilance for the future,” he said.
He also highlighted the benefits of KoLeCt, a branded app providing an alternative paperless booking-in system for collectors, which offers members an app to book their collections in 24/7 and track their progress in real time.