Bishop calls for prayers for snow-hit farmers
A Church of England bishop has called on people to “Buy British” and pray for snow-hit farmers who have lost thousands of livestock.
More than 25,000 are now believed to have perished across Britain during the coldest March since 1963 – and the death toll is expected to rise much higher as the thaw starts.
The Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Revd Anthony Priddis, said the dire situation faced by livestock producers had prompted him to write an open letter of support and solidarity.
“This is almost certainly the most difficult time for the whole farming community since the horrendous foot-and-mouth outbreak 12 years ago,” he said.
“As a result, it is vital that our farmers, their families and our whole rural communities are assured at least of our prayer and support in these straitened times.”
There was little the general public or those in the farming industry could do about bad weather, animal disease or fuel and feed costs, said Bishop Anthony.
But people could still demonstrate their support by showing as care and understanding so farmers suffering hardship, extreme worry and isolation at least knew of their solidarity.
“This is almost certainly the most difficult time for the whole farming community since the horrendous foot-and-mouth outbreak 12 years ago.”
The Bishop of Hereford
“Practically, we can buy locally sourced food as much as possible to ensure returns to the local economy,” wrote Bishop Anthony.
The Farm Community Network – formerly known as the Farm Crisis Network – said it had received more calls locally in the first month of this year than the whole of last year.
In Wales, industry leaders said a temporary derogation allowing livestock producers to bury dead animals on their farms would only be a slight help.
The derogation, which came into force on 3 April, covers the areas of Wales most affected by the recent snow but is subject to a number of restrictions.
Farmers will be required to provide evidence that collectors were unable to access the farm. They must also notify their local authority that a burial is taking place.
Details of the burial must be recorded in the farmer’s movement book, with tag numbers if appropriate and the burial site location.
NFU Cymru president Ed Bailey said any help from the derogation would very much depend on the willingness and ability of all authorities to make the process as straightforward as possible.
“While the derogation we have today is a slight help I fear that many farmers will need more if their businesses are to recover from this traumatic time.”
Most losses would have occurred high on the hills making it impossible to bring the animals down to the yard, said Mr Bailey.
“Clearly I would expect farmers to be given derogation in these circumstances.
“At this juncture it is too soon to determine how long this derogation may be required for, given that freezing conditions and snow continue undiminished in the worst affected areas.”
Mr Bailey hit out at a Welsh government statement suggesting further direct financial support to individual farm businesses was not the way to improve their long term resilience.
Mr Bailey said he found the statement “rather surprising” given that many farmers found themselves in dire circumstances following freak weather.
“Surely today the focus should be on looking to support farmers in affected areas who have suffered catastrophic losses,” he said.
“I had hoped that this statement would include an emergency aid package to help those most affected to get back on their feet again.
“I certainly didn’t expect Welsh government to rule out such an option before the full extent of losses can even be evaluated.”