A Cardiganshire family that has lost 555 cattle
tobovine
tuberculosissince mid-December is calling for
an independent inquiry into the handling of the
outbreak.
Laurence Harris, whose business includes marketing the
award-winning
Daioni range of
flavoured organic milk drinks, also plans to put up signs
warning walkers they risk contact with TB-infected wildlife.
He said: "We have always encouraged Daioni customers to use the
many footpaths crossing our land, but while I don't want to
scaremonger, this big outbreak could have far-reaching implications
for the health of people enjoying the countryside."
Mr Harris has also issued an open invitation for all wildlife
groups to visit the farm for a frank debate on how TB should be
combated.
"The present policy's bias against cattle is immoral and could
compromise human health. As we have seen in our case, where
post-mortem evidence showed many inconclusive reactors actually had
TB lesions, the tuberculin test used is wildly inaccurate."
On Monday vets began blood testing the last 88 cows at
Ffosyficer near Cenarth that might have had direct contact with
infected animals, and over 300 cattle that had no contact.
Mr Harris is also angry about decisions made by
Welsh Assembly vets. Originally the plan was to slaughter 225
reactors and 110
inconclusive reactors and all were valued. But after the first
loads – including 46 which had inconclusive results – were killed
he was told that no inconclusive cattle should go for
slaughter.
Farm staff load TB reactors at Laurence Harris's
Ffosycificer
"But 25% of those that had already gone had lesions, including
two with udder lesions. Incomprehensibly, it took a day for the
assembly to change its mind and agree that all inconclusives must
be killed.
"Though I have not had full post-mortem results from the last 64
IRs slaughtered, I have been told that a significant number had TB
lesions. This makes me wonder just how many infected animals are
being missed by skin tests."
First results from the latest tests on the remaining animals at
Ffosyficer, and on 250 cattle on the family's other farm, will not
be heard until next week.
Despite spending many hours discussing restocking issues with
animal health officers, Mr Harris and his son Tom are still
undecided about the best route.
They were prepared not to keep cattle on the main farm for two
years, but the cost of switching to arable would be high. "Elin
Jones, our rural affairs minister, has agreed to meet me and,
though I agree with what she is doing to tackle TB in Wales, I will
tell her we need fast action and a public inquiry into the current
system, which is a mess."
Open invitation from Laurence Harris to
Ffosyficer
"We would like to invite all those societies and trusts who are
concerned with the countryside and the wildlife to a meeting at
Ffosyficer for a frank discussion about the issues that have arisen
during the past few weeks.
"Tragically, we have lost nearly all our dairy herd, 325 cows, and
230 of our young stock. We need to restock, but feel that unless
this disease is eradicated from all our buildings and surrounding
land, then it will be a costly and pointless exercise.
"All those persons who feel that they could contribute in a
constructive manner in an attempt to resolve these issues should
make contact, giving their details and their position within those
bodies they represent.
"We would after a few weeks then attempt to arrange a time and date
for such a meeting."
For contact details email
Laurence Harris |