Minister urges farmers to stay vigilant
25 February 2001
Minister urges farmers to stay vigilant
by Sarah Walton in Northumberland
JUNIOR agriculture minister Joyce Quin has urged farmers to remain vigilant in their efforts to stop foot-and-mouth disease spreading to more farms.
On a visit to Northumberland, Ms Quin praised farmers attempts to halt the disease, which has now been confirmed at seven sites across Britain.
The first thing on everyones minds, including farmers, was to stop the spread of foot and mouth compensation claims could come later, she said.
The minister met journalists and farmers at a public house in Heddon-on-the Wall, Northumberland, on Sunday (25 February).
“We have to ensure that all outbreaks are followed up and contained as speedily as possible,” she said.
Ms Quin travelled to the region to meet Richard Drummond, the Ministry of Agricultures head of veterinary services for the Northern Region.
Any further outbreaks would re-enforce the necessity of the governments ban on livestock movements which will be maintained at least until Friday (2 March).
Ms Quin also met privately with other producers and Gordon Meek, the National Farmers Union local livestock representative.
Some farmers are worried about the length of time it has taken to incinerate livestock slaughtered at the pig fattening unit said to be the source of the outbreak.
Local reports suggest that incineration was much quicker in the outbreak of the 1960s, and some producers are worried the disease could be carried by vermin.
Ms Quin confirmed to Farmers Weekly that the government had set up a group to look at ways of insuring the industry against future disease outbreaks.
The group was set up following last years swine fever outbreak and had received various ideas, including insurance, but none had been considered yet.
Any new plans would need wide consultation within the industry, said Ms Quin. “The whole situation will have to be evaluated in due course.”
She declined to discuss the topic of compensation further except to confirm that anyone whose livestock is destroyed will receive the full market price.