Jiglu: Farmtalking: Discussion: Re: Suggestion from Frances

Originally from: lina

Hi Joyce,
Frances stopped by the This is Worcestershire
website and suggested that you visit the following

First published on Tuesday 28 October 2003:
Foot-mouth rebels' battle over cattle
A FARMER from Worcestershire who defied the
foot-and-mouth culling squad has a new battle on her
hands after Government officials ordered her cattle
should be killed over fears they could be harbouring
TB.

Mum-of-two Nicola Morris, aged 41, of Tibberton, near
Droitwich, said the Department for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs (Defra), is demanding it slaughters
her 60-strong herd, despite her own vet giving it a
clean bill of health.

She is now refusing to let her cows off her farm –
facing the risk of legal action.

Two of her herd were found to be reactive to a
Government tuberculosis test, but Mrs Morris claims
the test is only 50 per cent accurate.

Five other tests proved inconclusive and the rest of
the herd tested negative, she said.

The farmer has been protesting against the decision to
cull her herd for the last 100 days – during which
time none of the animals has yet shown signs of the
disease.

"These animals have been alive 100 days longer than
they should be," added Mrs Morris.

"They should have showed signs of TB by now.

"What appals me is the vet dealing with the case has
not asked to look at the animals once.

"We got our own vet to do a detailed examination and
she said there was nothing that leads her to believe
the animals are suffering from TB.

"This situation with TB is yet another blow for
farmers.

"I think if the taxpayer knew how much money the
Government was wasting on culling perfectly healthy
cattle, they would be up in arms."

Mrs Morris, who runs the farm with her husband, Andy,
43, said the ordeal was extremely upsetting and took
her back to 2001 when she saved her herd from being
killed during the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

She said she was being sensible, isolating the cows in
case there is a possibility they are infected.

No comment was available from Defra as the Evening
News went to press.

http://www.thisisworcestershire.co.uk/worcestershire/archive/2003/10/28/wen_news_latest13ZM.html