Partner turned dictator
CATTLE and wildlife will continue to suffer because of the Government's dictatorial approach to controlling bovine tuberculosis (TB), says NFU North West's Livestock Board Chairman Thomas Binns.
Mr Binns, who farms at Downham in Clitheroe, was enraged when the Government announced its package to tackle the problem of TB last week.
"They have ignored just about everything the industry has contributed in the name of partnership to this particular animal health crisis for the last four years," said Mr Binns.
"More badgers, more cattle and more farmers are now the losers of a dictated package that ignores the main vector of disease transmission and looks only to passing the buck and cost to farmers and the countryside.
"The only good thing is that the Government have now shown exactly what they believe makes for good partnership working in regards to animal health - dictatorship."
As part of the package, the Government also announced the introduction of pre-movement testing of livestock from infected areas. Farmers will be expected to carry the cost of veterinary fees, while Defra will cover the costs of the materials. The NFU accepts the need for pre-movement testing as part of a comprehensive package - which includes wildlife control - but believes it will place a massive financial burden on farmers.
The NFU has also criticised the Government for introducing table valuations for compulsorily acquired animals. The valuation tables consist of 47 categories with a set level of compensation for each category. These make no allowance for the true value of the compulsorily purchased stock and fail to take advantage of the available data.
The NFU has always opposed the introduction of table valuations and will continue to vigorously argue for this measure to be scrapped and an independent advising group to be established in order to formulate an adequate replacement.
"They have created doubt about their commitment to fighting and protecting UK animals," added Mr Binns.
"They would rather delay and consult, taking steps that have the potential to do very little in the name of animal welfare and allow the disease to live on causing increasing suffering in the wildlife and cattle with untold stress and financial strain on farming families and businesses.
"TB was the first flagship of the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy's (AHWS) partnership approach to disease control. As a consequence of this package the AHWS is now about dictatorship and not partnership.
"This particular 'ship' is now sinking fast and distance is needed from the reckless navigating by the Government. What is the point of continuing when the AHWS has now set up standard valuations with no right of appeal, costly testing and monitoring regimes yet refuses again to allow complete actions against all vectors of disease.
"So what is left of the AHWS? The AHWS partnership has turned to dictatorship. Have we any more to loose than abandon a ship that promised so much but has been used to serve political ends. It is probably time the industry jumped into the last life boat of dignity and left this particular ship."
