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		After fridge mountains, cow mountains could be next! Tuesday, 18 March 2003 The East Mids landscape could again be blighted by the sight of dead cattle unless the Government introduces plans to implement new EU laws on the disposal of animal carcasses which come into force in April. Under the proposals, livestock burial on farms will become illegal, and farmers will be banned from burying dead cattle, sheep and pigs on their land as they have done for centuries. Farmers could be forced to pay to have each cow, sheep and pig collected and disposed of at a cost of up to £45 per cow and £5 per sheep. The average number of fallen cattle is over 270,000 a year, while nearly 1 million sheep die naturally - the cost to industry could be over £17 million per year. In other EU states a government-funded collection scheme is in operation, but the British Government has so far refused to pay for such a scheme. With only six weeks left before the ban is due to be introduced, there are grave doubts over whether it is possible for the industry to get a system up and running in time. East Midlands Conservative Euro-MP Roger Helmer, said: "This is another example of the British Government signing up to EU legislation without giving thought to its implementation. No doubt the already cash-strapped East Midlands farmers will be asked to stump up the extra costs that will be involved, or they will become criminals for carrying out a traditional practice. Farmers will be expected to get to grips with even more red tape unless the Government provides a solution. The farming industry approached the Government over 18 months ago, and yet no plan has been drawn up. We face the prospect of a repeat of the fridge mountain saga, only this time it will be much more unpleasant."