Farmer shoots sheep as prices collapse

08 October 1998

Farmer shoots sheep as prices collapse

A FARMER shot 10 surplus ewes because he believed he would not get enough for them at market to cover transport and selling costs.

Maurice Vellacott, who farms at North Molton, Devon, is also threatening to shoot another 70 if prices do not improve.

Mr Vellacott, with a reputation as a vocal critic of the Government and the National Farmers Union (NFU), also claims to have destroyed one of his sick cows because it was worth less than the vets bill to treat it.

He has a flock of 1400 ewes and lambs.

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  The Daily Telegraph 08/10/98 page 11