Fallen stock collection in Caldy looks different from collection in the big livestock counties, and a collector who understands that difference gives a far better service. The land between Caldy, Thurstaston and Frankby above the Dee estuary is a patchwork of small paddocks, livery yards, pony grazing and hobby flocks rather than large commercial units, which means losses are infrequent, often involve horses or small numbers of sheep, and almost always happen to owners who have never had to arrange a collection before. Martlands provides fallen stock and ABP collection across the whole of the North West from our DEFRA approved facility in Burscough, and this guide explains how the service works for Caldy and the surrounding west Wirral villages.
What Caldy Owners Need to Know Before a Loss Happens
The rules that apply to a thousand-acre hill farm apply equally to a two-pony paddock off the A540. On-farm burial and burning of livestock has been illegal in the UK since 2003, so a horse, sheep, goat or any other farmed animal that dies on land around Caldy must be collected by a licensed operator, and the keeper carries a duty of care to have fallen stock collected within 24 hours of discovery. For smallholders this often comes as a surprise at the worst possible moment, which is exactly why it pays to know who to call in advance.
Horses and Ponies Are Our Most Common Caldy Collection
With the bridleways of the Wirral Way and the livery yards around Thurstaston on the doorstep, equine losses make up a large share of the fallen stock work we handle on this side of the peninsula. Losing a horse is a distressing event, and our crews are experienced in carrying out equine collections discreetly and respectfully, including from restricted-access paddocks and yards. Our article on who collects dead horses explains the options available to owners, including where cremation rather than standard collection is preferred.
Cattle Over 48 Months Need BSE Sampling
Where the loss is an adult bovine, there is an additional legal step – fallen cattle over 48 months of age must be BSE tested before disposal. Martlands operates as a DEFRA approved sampling centre, so the sampling is carried out as part of our own process rather than being something the keeper has to arrange separately. Our guide to BSE testing of fallen cattle covers how the requirement works and what it means for the paperwork you receive afterwards.
Documentation With Every Collection
Every collection we make in Caldy is accompanied by a Commercial Document and a Waste Transfer Note, giving the keeper a complete record of what was collected, when and where it was taken. For assured farms this is audit evidence, and for private owners it is proof that the animal was dealt with lawfully – something worth having on file whatever the size of the holding. As members of the National Fallen Stock Company, and with collections managed through the KoLeCt booking system, the whole process is traceable from the first phone call to final disposal at our licensed facility.
Coverage Across West Wirral and the Wider Peninsula
Caldy sits within our core service area, reached quickly from the M53 via the A540 Chester High Road, and the same crews cover the neighbouring villages – you can read more on our dedicated pages for Pensby fallen stock collection and Greasby fallen stock collection, or see the peninsula-wide picture on our Wirral fallen stock collection page. Because the Wirral rounds run regularly, same-day collection is genuinely available rather than a headline promise.
Arranging a Collection in Caldy
If you have lost an animal in Caldy or anywhere on west Wirral, call Martlands on 01704 776977 and we will arrange collection promptly, talk you through what happens next and make sure the legal requirements are met without adding to a difficult day. One call covers the collection, any required sampling and all of the compliance paperwork.
