At 12:48 01/10/2003 +0100, you wrote:

Why could the test kits that R Lawson (the Green party offered not have
been used) Quick ten minute result from a blood sample. What was wrong
with them? That was technology that existed and most farmers and ALL vets
can take blood samples. A simple test. Prof Brown even offered this way of
testing in March Maff refused it. Why?

A) Test kits were not validated (would you ewant for example to use a non-CORGI gas installer to fit your central heating boiler?) – an unreliable test is worse than useless – and only in limited availability production phase, b) cos think about how long – and how many people – it takes to blood sample hundreds and thousands of animals – recall the huge teams and the days and days it took in the Brecon Beacons?

You say nothing was planned Andrew regarding fmd, but it was. What about
all the ordering of wood for pyres, all of the closed signs etc etc etc...

And how many of those stories proved to be 'rural myths'? Most if not all as I recall when push came to shove for real evidence – besides some of that activity SHOULD be part of contigency planning.

It was just that the planning did not include any quick testing
results. That would have defeated the object of the exercise.

If you wish to believe that UK Govt deliberately sparked an epidemic that cost the country billions – at a time it wanted to divert more money to public services and caused Govt a lot of political problems – so be it.

Just how not about fmd this really was, and a virus, that according to the
so called exports was travelling miles over fells and heaven knows what
else was brought home to me last year.

We visited someone in the Dumfries area you will remember Scotland was
killing anything that moved – even pet goats and sanctuary animals. C
Houghs saga was played out for the whole world to see.

That as the 'craziness' that resulted from the draconian and simplistic 24/48 contiguous cull – an unjustified and unnecessary policy we all agree.

This person told us they were allowed to select 25 from their breeding
flock and KEEP them. So suddenly for whatever reasons the goal posts were
moved. This comment is NOT aimed at that person, heavens we ALL did what
we could to try and get some humanity from these people. But it proves
beyone a shadow of a doubt just how lie ridden the whole episode was.

It goes to show what happens when there is no effective contigency planning, I agree.

Bit like not having enough boots or desert clothing for the Army? even when they months and months to get it togther.

Andrew