FARMERS are calling on the Government to meet the cost of the removal of potentially-lethal waste from slaughterhouses.

They claim proposals to increase the cost of meat inspections at abattoirs will cause them hardship.

And their calls for a delay in the increase to the charges is being backed by Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans.

Meat inspection charges are to increase from April 1 and the Government also plans to pass the £20million or so it costs each year to remove specified risk material such as potentially BSE-infected waste from slaughterhouses back to agriculture.

National Farmers' Union North West spokesman Rodney Bacon said agriculture workers could ill-afford the new charges and called on Agriculture Minister Nick Brown to delay them.

"Abattoirs and meat processors will inevitably seek to pass on the new and extra costs to farmers, who can ill-afford them. Such a situation would be totally unacceptable.

"Farm incomes are currently on the floor and many livestock producers are making little or no profit. It is simply not possible for agriculture to absorb any more costs. Removing specified risk material is a public health issue and, as such, should be paid for by the Government," he said.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans described the new charges as a "hidden tax" and the consumer would ultimately suffer.

"It's inevitable that the extra costs will be passed on to farmers and then to consumers. There has got to be some relief and assistance for farmers. These charges are not going to help the sustainability of our agriculture industry and I will also be contacting Nick Brown to voice my concerns," he said.

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