50,000 for post-virus assurance


13 December 2001



50,000 for post-virus assurance

By Adrienne Francis


A 50,000 fund has been set up to help 1000 farmers who had livestock culled during the foot-and-mouth crisis become farm assured.


The first 1000 farmers to come forward will receive 50 off the cost of getting their business farm-assured from a range of different schemes.


The 50 subsidy equates to almost a years free assurance under the British Farm Standard, said a spokesman for the National Farmers Union.


Massey Ferguson stumped up 35,000 of the cash, which was given to NFU Hereford county chairman Elwyn Maddy on Wednesday (12 December).


Cash from the NFU Supporting Farmers in Crisis fund will be added to the figure, providing a total 50,000.


Mr Maddy said the money would make an important contribution to farmers keen to re-build and move their industry forward.


“Farm assurance and the Little Red Tractor logo are important British initiatives to help consumers to identify food produced to high standards.”


Farmers will be apply for a money-off voucher by completing an application form, which will be available on the NFU website.


NFU of Scotland head of public affairs Maria Limonci said the 50 subsidy to farmers was a welcome gesture, but was “not going to solve all of their problems.”


The schemes on offer include the British Farm Standards Little Red Tractor, Genesis, Assured British Pigs, and Farm Assured Welsh Livestock.


Other schemes include the Northern Ireland Beef and Lamb, Quality Meat Scotland and the Assured Combinable Crops beef and lamb initiatives.

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