Alliance dismisses Livingstone call
23 February 2001
Alliance dismisses Livingstone call
By FWi staff
THE Countryside Alliance has dismissed as “a political stunt” London mayor Ken Livingstones call for the countryside march to be stopped because of foot-and-mouth.
Mr Livingstone, who opposes fox-hunting, told Londons Evening Standard that police should put a stop to the march to protect the interests of Londoners.
“Im concerned the disease could be brought into central London, potentially affecting animals on city farms or at the zoo, and also that cross-contamination could lead to its transmission all over the country,” he said.
But an alliance spokesman said he hoped most Londoners would greet the comments with scepticism.
“Mr Livingstone has never shown any understanding or interest in rural or agricultural issues and once again he is distorting the facts to fit his political expediency,” he said.
The Countryside Alliance said if Mr Livingstone was genuinely worried, he would consult march organisers or farming and veterinary advisors.
“No-one knows more about the risks and precautions regarding foot-and-mouth disease than the farming community and farming authorities themselves,” said the spokesman.
March organisers have pledged to keep the situation under review on the run up to 18 March.
If there are still quarantine zones in place it will urge people to observe all the restrictions, even if this prevents them from attending the march.