HUNDREDS of Cumbrian calves are being unnecessarily slaughtered because farmers are failing to meet "ludicrous" EU regulations, it has been claimed.

The Country Landowners' Association claims up to 300 calves a month are ending up in the feeding pens of South Lakeland zoo animals because farmers are failing to meet harsh deadlines which restrict the sale of beef for human consumption.

EU regulations brought in last November require all calves to be registered with the British Cattle Movement Service within 27 days of birth. If a farmer fails to meet this deadline the animal is unable to leave the farm and is therefore not allowed to enter the foodchain dispatching many animals to death.

The CLA's national livestock consultant Jim Webster said the Government's strict interpretation of European beef controls was consigning countless cattle to unnecessary slaughter.

"In the UK, the situation is just stupid, we are far more stringent than other member states," he explained. "Nationally around 3,000 animals a month are slaughtered and in Cumbria that figure is about 300 a month because farmers have not met the 27 day deadline. Most of that meat will probably end up at the wild animal park in Dalton.

"The CLA has checked with six other member states and they are not interpreting these rules for late registration so strictly. For instance in Denmark, Ireland and Italy there is no penalty for late registration and the calve can still enter the foodchain."

Mr Webster, who is also president of Cumbria CLA, said the problem was exacerbated by the postal service not delivering on time.

"The postal service is rubbish they haven't met any of their targets," he said. "Farmers are ending up in hot water because of them. I know of many cases when papers have taken nearly a week to reach the British Cattle Movement Service by which time it is too late for the poor calf. It's thought the postal service is responsible for about 40 per cent of late registration."

Mr Webster, who wants to see the Government take a more relaxed attitude towards late registration, said he would be part of a group lobbying the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the next few weeks.

"DEFRA needs to take a look at things and act like a reasonable organisation," he added.