"100 DAYS OF HELL", NFU ON FOOT AND
MOUTH
One hundred days after the first outbreak of foot
and mouth NFU President Ben Gill has reflected on how the disease has taken its
toll on farmers.
Mr Gill said: "It's been 100 days of sheer hell.
"Cases of foot and mouth are still occurring daily and the new hotspots
show how critical it is to keep our guard up.
"Farmers are doing everything they can to wipe out the disease. For
example, in the north, new cases have occurred despite strict precautions being
taken so it is a blow that they have succumbed.
"But it is important to understand how easy it is for the disease to
spread by the movement of animals, people, vehicles or equipment.
"Therefore I urge all farmers, farm workers and contractors to continue
maintaining stringent disease control measures to get this disease stamped out
once and for all. There is no room for relaxation or complacency.
"We will not rest peacefully until several months have elapsed since the
last case. Right now we just do not know when this will be.
"I also want to thank those who have kept away from affected areas and ask
them to keep away for a while longer until these areas are completely free of
disease.
"I recognise the burden this puts on rural businesses, especially the
tourist industry, but all our interests are served by continued
vigilance."
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