 |
 |
Huhne visits foot and mouth outbreak site
August 7, 2007 7:00 PM
Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary Chris Huhne MP has stated that footpaths should have been closed by now in the areas affected by the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak.
Speaking on a visit to Pirbright today, where he was briefed on the local situation by Lib Dem Parliamentary Campaigners Sue Doughty (Guildford), Sarah Di Caprio (South West Surrey) and Rosie Sharpley (Woking). Chris and Sue subsequently met the director of the Institute of Animal Health Martin Shirley.
Chris Huhne said, "There are some footpaths in the 3km protection zone which remain open and local farmers are worried and angry about this.
"Until we are sure how the outbreak occurred and that it is contained, then it makes sense to close the footpaths, at least in those areas within the protection zone. This is something Ming Campbell raised with the Prime Minister as early as Saturday yet there remain no clear instructions from Defra."
Sue Doughty was saddened to hear of the further outbreak. Sue said, "This has been a devastating few days for the local farming industry but it isn't helped by the lack of clarity on just what it is they need to be doing.
Following the meeting at the Institute of Animal Health, Sue said, "We're concerned that there is a lot of information that will be needed before we're certain where this strain of the virus originated. Only then will everyone have the full information they need to really deal with this outbreak."
Sue is also concerned that farmers be adequately compensated. Sue explained, "Farmers whose herds are being culled will be compensated, but we are concerned about other local farmers. What will happen to those farmers who have had to have their frozen meat stocks destroyed, or are unable to harvest their crops on mixed use farms?
"With the industry recovering from the last Foot and Mouth outbreak in 2001 and high land prices, local farmers have had to fight against adversity. We need to make sure they are adequately compensated for this tragedy which was completely out of their control."
Sarah Di Caprio added, "Farmers in my area I've spoken to who are in the surveillance zone are still in the dark about whether they can have contractors on their fields to start combining - or if they are contractors themselves, whether they can fulfil those contracts.
"It was such a blow to hear of yet another outbreak late yesterday. Everyone involved wants this sorted out as quickly as possible and the route to that is providing farmers with clear, concise information."
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Guildford Lib Dems
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- Guildford Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats