FARMERS PUT THEIR VIEWS TO CHIEF VET IN CUMBRIA
Local NFU members met with the Government's Chief
Veterinary Officer in Cumbria today to discuss how the extended cull needed to
rein in the disastrous spread of foot and mouth can be targeted most
effectively.
NFU representatives put forward a submission on how the grim slaughter could be
carried out in a prioritised, strategic way, which may spare some pedigree high
value stock without compromising disease control.
But the meeting heard how the disease is literally ripping through Cumbria, and
that the brutal measures put forward by the Government may be the only hope of
getting ahead of it.
In an emotional meeting, farmers hit home to Jim Scudamore their desperate
fears about the impact of the 3km cull of sheep, pigs and goats.
They also graphically described how harrowing the delay in the slaughter and
removal of animals has been for them in recent weeks and reiterated the NFU's
call for more resources so the process can be dramatically speeded up.
NFU President Ben Gill said: "The NFU in London and Cumbria will be
working on the proposals for a more sophisticated risk assessment put forward
at this meeting urgently so that we can put them to the Agriculture Minister as
soon as possible.
"That assessment will, of course, take account of the interests of all
livestock farmers, wherever they farm, in eliminating foot and mouth.
"This issue will be the top of the agenda at my next meeting with Nick
Brown."
He added: "No one is happy for these draconian measures to be taking
place. But everyone agrees that disease prevention has to be the top priority -
otherwise we will end up having to kill more animals in the long run."
The meeting also agreed to set up a local stakeholder group following calls
from the NFU.
NFU Cumbria Council delegate Peter Allen said: "Our members hit home to
the Chief Vet the gravity of the situation in Cumbria. Farmers are going out of
their minds with worry about the extended 3km cull.
"We are pleased that Mr Scudamore has indicated that he will discuss with
the Minister an exemption for high value flocks from the cull."
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