Ban is best solution, says industry
23 February 2001
Ban is best solution, says industry
By FWi staff
FARMING industry representatives agree that the Government ban on livestock movements is the best way to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease.
Farm minister Nick Brown announced a one-week ban from 5pm on Friday (23 February) and warned that the disease could be anywhere in the country.
His ban applies to England and Wales. Parallel measures are expected in Scotland, and Northern Ireland may follow suit.
There have been six outbreaks of the disease to date, which appears to have originated on a farm on Heddon-on-the-Wall in Tyne and Wear.
The industry has no choice left but to “batten down the hatches”, said National Farmer Union president Ben Gill.
“This will be hard – but not as hard as if foot and mouth spreads throughout the entire British livestock population,” reasoned Mr Gill.
Robert Forster chief executive of the National Beef Association said; “I think this is a case of pain now for a benefit later.
“If we can invest as an industry for a week, we will know at the end of a week where we stand.”
If the restriction was not introduced, then farmers would end up inadvertently dragging the virus around, he said.
John Thorley, secretary of the National Sheep Association, said: “Putting the brakes on everything makes more sense than any other option.”
He said the decision gave the Government time to find out exactly where foot-and-mouth is “going to take us over the next few weeks.
“If it had been done on a piecemeal basis, we would find some people obeying the rules but others using the potential to break them.
“At least this way everyone knows where we are. It means there will be far less of a likelihood of foot-and-mouth continuing to spread.”
National Pig Association regional manager Ian Campbell said pig farmers are in favour of the ban – as long as it is not in place for too long.
“We told MAFF scientists on Wednesday [21 February]that we would be fully supportive of a ban as long as it is only a short-term measure,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Meat and Livestock Commission says there are enough meat stocks to cover the ban, and has advised consumers not to alter buying habits.
Director General Gwyn Howells said: “There may be variations in the supply of different cuts but overall there should be enough meat to go round.
He echoed the Food Standards Agency statement that foot-and-mouth disease does not pose a threat to food safety.
Richard Stevenson, executive officer of the National Federation of Meat and Food Traders, was concerned about what would happen if the ban lasted longer than a week.
“The smaller abattoirs tend to have good stocks so are unlikely to be affected next week. But they will start to feel the pinch in the following days.”
He added: “Panic buying is possible in a big way, which will really start to put pressure on stocks. One butcher has already limited sales to regular customers only.”