Britain runs out of disinfectant

28 February 2001



Britain runs out of disinfectant

By FWi staff

BRITISH farmers have pleaded for international help in the fight against foot-and-mouth disease as the number of outbreaks continues to rise.

Producers warned that areas of the country had run out of disinfectant as the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed four more cases of the disease.

Fresh cases include two in Powys, Wales; one in Herefordshire and one in Lancashire, bringing the total number across England and Wales to 22.

Farmers in Shropshire asked the American Embassy in London to supply more stocks from the vast US stockpile and to fly them in immediately.

“Europe cannot supply us as they may need the supplies themselves,” said Frances Beatty, regional director of the Country Land and Business Association.

“President Bush comes from Texas, home of some of the finest cattle herds including Hereford cattle, so he will understand the scale of the problem.”

Ms Beatty added: “If this was an earthquake the USA would be sending aid, and this is a disaster-scale situation for our farmers.”

“My office is taking streams of phone calls from suicidal farmers asking what they can do. Now they find local supplies of disinfectant have run out.

The Farmers Union of Wales said the Army and RAF must be called in to help distribute vital supplies of disinfectant to areas hit by foot-and-mouth.

“Supplies of disinfectant have already run out on Anglesey,” said FUW President Bob Parry, who farms on the island off the north-west coast of Wales.

Mr Parry said he understood that there were enough supplies in Britain, but distribution to remote rural areas was proving a major problem.

“Farmers have been told that if they order disinfectant now, delivery will not take place until the beginning of next week. This is obviously not good enough.”

Mr Parry said he had called on the Welsh National Assembly in Cardiff to request military assistance to distribute vital supplies of disinfectant to farmers.

“We are on the brink of a major national emergency because of the outbreak of this disease, and I strongly believe that the armed forces must help.”