Cunningham gets hostile reception over BSE scam claims

01 July 1997

Cunningham gets hostile reception over BSE scam claims

Farmers gave agriculture minister Jack Cunningham a hostile welcome at the Royal
Show, Stoneleigh, Warwickshre. They are enraged by claims they are secretly
fattening cows due for incineration to cheat the bovine spongiform
encephalopathy compensation scheme.

The ministry has cut the price paid to farmers from August 4. It has fixed a top
weight of 560 kg over which compensation will not be paid. Farmers will get a
maximum of around £320 an animal. In some cases this will be half of what
was previously paid.