Devon cattle can cross Tamar

31 May 2001



Devon cattle can cross Tamar

By John Burns, south-west England correspondent

THE Ministry of Agriculture has agreed that cattle from foot-and-mouth infected areas of Devon can be slaughtered in Cornwall from Monday (4 June).

Confirmation of the agreement comes after farmers staged a protest outside MAFF offices near Exeter on Wednesday (30 May).

Producers had complained that MAFF had failed to address a shortage of abattoir capacity for livestock in two areas of Devon infected with the disease.

They had requested a “common-sense interpretation” of MAFF rules which prohibit live animals being moved out of infected areas for slaughter.

The main infected area in Devon has had no significant outlet for cattle since St Merryn Meats abattoir at Torrington was destroyed by fire on 13 May.

An infected area in east Devon has had no outlet of any size for any species following a single outbreak of foot-and-mouth on 11 April.

The worst-hit beef farms have been those with bull beef growing overweight and fractious too, and those with cattle approaching 30 months of age.

Farmer Richard Coombe recently had to send 35 bulls on the welfare disposal scheme for 5000 less than they would have made in the food chain.

MAFF said that cattle from the main infected area could now travel for slaughter to St Merryn Meats Bodmin plant in Cornwall from Monday (4 June).

Strict disease controls will involve veterinary inspections before loading and at the abattoir, and full disinfection procedures at both ends of the journey.

Lots of 12 or more cattle will be sent direct from farm to Bodmin. Lots of fewer than12 will go via a collection centre at Torrington.

MAFF agreed to cover the costs of veterinary and technical supervision.

• Police probe St Merryn Meat fire, FWi, 14 May, 2001