MAFF kept south-west in the dark

2 March 2001



MAFF ‘kept south-west in the dark’

By FWi staff

WEST-COUNTRY farmers say local Ministry of Agriculture officials of left them in the dark while the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak escalated.

Peter Bowyer, manager of West Devon Meat abattoir at Hatherleigh, Devon, learned from television confirmation of the disease in a sheep at the abattoir.

It was noon the next day before MAFF officially informed him.

Devon National Farmers Union chairman David Hill said MAFFs response at national had been praised, but at local level enquiries went unanswered.

“Particularly in the first few days, members were phoning to say they could not get anyone to answer simple questions such as could they walk their cows along the road to a field,” said Mr Hill.

He says the lack of information and feeling of isolation had added to the real fear in the community.

Children have been kept off school to reduce the risk of spreading foot-and-mouth, but it adds to the tension.

Neighbours of Willie Cleaves Burdon Farm, Highhampton, where the first Devon case was found, were also unhappy with their treatment from MAFF.

They said they were told their cattle would be killed and burnt even if MAFF had not visited them or examined cattle.

Mr Cleave says their cattle are being taken because they are close neighbours and their son worked part-time for him.

He is extremely annoyed that, without asking his permission, MAFF announced they would be burning their cattle on Mr Cleaves farm.

“Ive agreed to let them now, but Im annoyed. After all its my fault theyre being killed so I can hardly refuse.”

Mr Cleave added that MAFF should have been getting on with preparations for burning the cattle, and criticises their organisation.