The European Commission published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ) information communicated by Member States regarding the State aid "Shetland Cast Ewe Welfare Scheme", granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products. The overall amount of individual aid granted to the company has be set at 50,000 Pounds

The Shetland Cast Ewe Welfare Scheme will be open to Shetland farmers and crofters facing animal welfare problems with cast ewes as a result of export restrictions imposed following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom. In Shetland, this situation is particularly serious in the case of cast ewes (ewes that are approaching the end of their breeding life in Shetland) — these old animals would normally have been sold and exported from Shetland by the end of September, destined either for a final year breeding in the more clement climate elsewhere in the United Kingdom, or to enter the food chain as sheep meat. As there is now no market for these animals, if left they will suffer a protracted decline in condition, therefore culling is the most appropriate course of action on welfare grounds.

The break down of costs:

Under the Shetland Cast Ewe Welfare Scheme, the operator of the collection centre will be paid a total of GBP 10 per head for each eligible animal, up to a limit of 5,000 animals in total. This GBP 10 will cover the cost of slaughter of the animal in question, the cost of burial at the Rova Head landfill site in Shetland, and the cost of transport between collection centre and abattoir, and abattoir and landfill site.

The authority body in charge of the shetland development trust is Shetland Islands Council (United Kingdom)

The Shetland Cast Ewe Welfare Scheme  applies exclusively to SME's keeping cast ewes in Shetland. Cast ewes do not qualify for the previously notified Scottish Welfare Disposal Scheme as this is aimed solely at light lambs.