Keep in touch during the day. I don't think I want to ask what the "bad" might be !!

Just to interject here,has everyone forgotten where and how this came about.I think a lot more pressure from the Media, etc, might also show the plight of thousands of Businesses suffering because of someones Negligence.

Ah it's been left to the NFU to look after their members!!!

DEFRA is tonight reporting another suspect foot and mouth case in the protection zone in Surrey.

 DEFRA said "The decision has been taken today to slaughter cattle on suspicion of Foot and Mouth Disease on a farm in Surrey. This follows clinical examination of animals on land in the existing Protection Zone as part of intensive surveillance in the area. Samples are being taken for laboratory testing. There is no timetable for when laboratory results from these premises will be received."

 Another worrying development, but thankfully its in the PZ still and doesn't seem to have moved out of that area.

 Jonathan Long, FW Livestock Editor

 It looks as if they might as well slaughter everything in the PZ as the problem needs to stopped or there will be no export trade at all for anyone.

No moves out of area for slaughter at first I see - from a call I had would suggest more stock being taken out tomorrow. You could well be right.

The small pig keepers amongst us are very confused at present as in the media it is stating that farm to farm movements have resumed in low risk areas and the markets are scheduled to open from the 4th October. Those of us who have access to the internet have found that farm to farm movements of pigs are not allowed and there is a £5000 fine for those not adhering to it. Might I suggest that the media get the facts and publish them accurately.

Is the DEFRA site down? I've tried opening it to check for any updates and I keep gettign a message that the server can't be found. Is it just me?

must be you ;-)  it's working here 

 

 

no updates though !   "Last update: 21:20 29/09/07"

Usually is me! Thanks for letting me know.

No real surprise about the lack of an update - it is DEFRA!

 

defra has confirmed 8 case

Yes, DEFRA has confirmed the farm it culled out yesterday was a definite. It is also going to cull cattle on four neighbouring premises as dangerous contacts. 

I'm told that nine contiguous farms were culled today, as sign of the seriousness of the situation evolving in the PZ as the disease continues to spring up.

Meanwhile, I believe a meeting is underway this evening to establish the protocol for a welfare cull scheme for south east England. Its sad that is come to this, but the disaster looming for those trapped in the F&M risk zone and the bluetongue protection zone cannot be underestimated. It look's highly unlikely any movements will be allowed in  this area for some time to come.

Here's hoping they put some realistic values in place to help all of us concerned in the area, pitiful payments will do little to help the confidence of an industry rapidly descending into crisis.

 Jonathan Long, FW Livestock Editor

 

Does anybody know if the latest F&M cases (IP7 & IP8) are new infections, or more "old" cases?

I feel for all you guys in the South & East, with no end in sight on movement restrictions and the breeding season upon us.

I have been trying to find out what is happening about paying farmers for the stock culled in the F+M outbreak but there is no mention anywhere on the Defra site that I can find. Presumably they must legally be purchased before being slaughtered, even if it is compulsory purchase. Who is doing the valuations, is there a fixed rate per head and is there any appeal procedure?

I cannot understand what Defra hope to achieve with Bluetongue. Surely we are going to have to learn to live with it, nobody can control midges. If this is true why are they culling animals?

There must come a point when the regulatory burdens on farmers get to the point that it will no longer be worth keeping livestock, some have no doubt reached that point already. Those young enough to qualify to emigrate must be thinking along those lines. The rest of us are probably too old. Why is there no rebellion in this country? Why do we just sit and take everything the government throws at us?

The valuations are being undertaken by independent DEFRA approved valuers who are valuing stock at market value.

Hope this helps,

 Jonathan Long, FW Livestock Editor