Lib-Dems question eco-terrorists role in spread of F&M
Lib-Dems question eco-terrorists role in spread of F&M
CLAIMS that eco-terrorists may have started Britains foot-and-mouth crisis have been backed by the Lib-Dems.
NFU president Ben Gill caused uproar among environmental groups when he urged Australian farmers to deter militant greens by maintaining tough quarantine measures. "Theres no doubt F&M spread to the UK illegally and, unfortunately, we cannot rule out eco-terrorism," he told a Canberra conference.
Friends of the Earth executive director Charles Secrett dismissed Mr Gills statement as an unsubstantiated "mad hatter" comment. But Lib-Dem agriculture spokesman Colin Breed backed Mr Gills warnings.
"The threat of biological terrorism should not be dismissed out of hand," said Mr Breed. "We must ensure our agricultural base and food production abilities cannot be held to ransom or considered a legitimate target for terrorist organisations."
An NFU spokeswoman said Mr Gill had been responding to a specific question. *