Government aid for farmers insufficient

The government's £12.5 million aid package for the English agricultural sector does not do enough for farmers and businesses hurt by the fall out from the latest Foot and Mouth disease and Bluetongue outbreaks, according to a Liberal Democrat Euro MP.

The package announced by Hilary Benn this week in a Commons statement includes £8.5 million in one-off payments to hill farmers, up to £1 million to provide 100% compensation for stock culled in risk areas, £1 million for charities supporting farming families and £2 million to market English meat.

Liz Lynne MEP, Joint Agriculture Spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament, commented:

"This package barely scratches the surface of what is needed and is too late in coming. How the government think this will cover the estimated £100 million plus costs of these latest crises is beyond me."

"While the areas affected by the diseases are relatively small the repercussions of movement restrictions are felt far and wide and are hurting businesses throughout the country.

"Of course any help for our farmers and businesses is welcome but the government must not see this as fulfilling their obligations. Hill farmers are mentioned, but what about lowland farmers?

Also the government should consider the Scottish and Welsh proposals, where farms in control zones would be offered a fixed price per animal, when there is no food to feed them and no market to sell them to. They must provide more aid to make up the shortfall and remain open to supporting the industry further until these crises are resolved."