Why cull farms slow to restock fails to
Why cull farms slow to restock fails to
It cost billions of £s, resulted in the destruction of millions
of animals and brought emotional and financial misery to
thousands. FW reports one year after the onset of F&M
ONLY half of the farms which had confirmed foot-and-mouth disease cases have managed to restock a year after the onset of the crisis, it has emerged.
The NFU believes some farmers are "reconsidering their business management position" and moving out of livestock or changing enterprises.
Around 1000 farmers out of 2030 who tested positive for F&M had started restocking, said NFU livestock adviser Robert Sheasby.
A further 7000 farmers who lost their stock as a result of the compulsory cull are now eligible to begin doing the same, he added.
But Mr Sheasby said he did not have any figures which indicated how many of those farmers would eventually restock or change their farming systems.
Meanwhile, a government document claims that about 800 farms in Yorks affected by F&M have now completed secondary cleansing and can begin to restock.
But again, only half those farmers have begun the restocking process, said the DEFRA report issued on Tuesday (Feb 19).
Only a handful of farmers have chosen not to undertake secondary cleansing and instead opted to remain under strict biosecurity restrictions for up to 12 months, it claimed.
Unless temporary diversions are arranged, rights of way on these farms will remain closed, although all other rights of way in the county are open to the public.
"We are seeing farms return to life as they restock, however we cannot lose sight of the events of last year," said Brian Woolacott, DEFRAs regional operations manager.
"Keeping the county disease-free will require everyone involved in agriculture on either side of the farm gate continuing to observe the highest standards of biosecurity."
F&MSTATISTICS
• 2030 confirmed cases in the UK. Last case Sunday, Sept 30 2001.
• 10,124 premises on which animals have been or due to be slaughtered.
• Official claim 4.1m animals slaughtered as infected, dangerous contacts or contiguous – 593,000 cattle, 3.36m sheep, 142,000 pigs, 2000 goats, 1000 deer and 2000 other animals.
• Approximately 2.5m animals slaughtered under the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme and Light Lamb Scheme.
HOW F&M PROGRESSED
February Government vets spot foot-and-mouth disease in a batch of pigs delivered to the Cheale Meats abattoir, Brentwood, Essex. Exports of live animals, meat and milk are suspended. All animal movements are banned and livestock prices plummet as government officials try to track down the source of the disease.
March The number of outbreaks escalates. Walkers are banned from the countryside. Farm minister Nick Brown steps up the slaughter by announcing that livestock will be killed on all farms within 3km of infected premises. Tony Blair postpones the expected May General Election until June 7.
April The death toll of animals passes 2m. The Royal Show is cancelled. Local residents are outraged at the disposal of infected livestock as pyres from burning carcasses light up the night sky. The NFU warns Tony Blair that farmers will revolt if the prime minister pushes ahead with plans to introduce vaccination.
May The crisis reaches its 100th day. Stand-offs continue between farmers and officials who want to cull livestock. Some 100,000 animals are slaughtered as a second wave of F&M hits northern England. Government chief scientist David King warns that further clusters of F&M will occur unless farmers improve biosecurity.
June Labour wins a second term in office. Tony Blair abolishes MAFF and Nick Brown is ousted. New DEFRA minister Margaret Beckett says farmers concerns will not dominate her vision for rural Britain. Lord Haskins, later appointed to help the post-F&M recovery, says farmers must shoulder much of the blame for the epidemic.
July A host of headlines appear in the national Press suggesting that farmers are profiteering from F&M. Government officials confirm they are investigating allegations that farmers are colluding to artificially boost compensation levels for culled animals. Tony Blair halts clean-up operations on farms, claiming the cost is "unacceptable".
August Margaret Beckett cuts short her holiday to announce three inquiries into F&M. The NFU says farmers have nothing to fear after revelations that 37 farmers received more than £1m each in compensation for lost animals. British agriculture takes a step towards normality as Scotland holds its first livestock market for six months.
• September – Hopes dashed that Scotland will be designated disease free after seven farms put back under restriction following visits from English livestock dealer. Number of confirmed cases tops 2000. Farmers warn stock will starve because new movement rules will leave animals stranded. Last confirmed case identified on Sep 30.
• October – Movement restrictions relaxed after farmers convince government original rules create unmanageable welfare and husbandry problems. Legal proceedings start for a judicial review to force the government to hold a full public inquiry. EU vets give go-ahead for pigmeat and beef exports to resume under certain conditions.
• November – Government introduces Animal Health Bill giving officials more power to slaughter animals in event of another F&M outbreak. Solicitors hit back at claims that their involvement in legal cases contributed to spread of disease in 2001. European vets agree to exports of sheepmeat from certain counties.
• December – Last three infected areas downgraded to "high risk" and then finally "at risk" status. International conference on F&M controls strategy held in Brussels discusses role vaccination could play in a future outbreak. Vets tell Royal Society inquiry that government cuts may have prevented outbreak from being discovered earlier.
• January – Britain declares itself officially free of F&M after three month gap in Northumberland and tests on sheep prove negative. As 146,000 signatures in favour of public inquiry delivered to Downing Street, Euro-MPs vote in favour of setting up a committee to look into F&M crisis. Animal health watchdogs grant international F&M free status.
September Hopes dashed that Scotland will be designated disease-free after seven farms put back under restriction following visits from English livestock dealer. Number of confirmed cases tops 2000. Farmers warn stock will starve because new movement rules will leave animals stranded. Last confirmed case identified on Sept 30.
October Movement restrictions relaxed after farmers convince government original rules create unmanageable welfare and husbandry problems. Legal proceedings start for a judicial review to force the government to hold a full public inquiry. EU vets give go-ahead for pigmeat and beef exports to resume under certain conditions.
November Government introduces Animal Health Bill giving officials more power to slaughter animals in event of another F&M outbreak. Solicitors hit back at claims that their involvement in legal cases contributed to spread of disease in 2001. European vets agree to exports of sheepmeat from certain counties.
December Last three infected areas downgraded to "high risk" and then finally "at risk" status. International conference on F&M controls strategy held in Brussels discusses role vaccination could play in a future outbreak. Vets tell Royal Society inquiry that government cuts may have prevented outbreak from being discovered earlier.
January Britain declares itself officially free of F&M after three month gap in Northumberland and tests on sheep prove negative. Euro MPs vote in favour of setting up a committee to look into F&M crisis. Animal health watchdogs grant international F&M free status.