Originally from: Farmtalking
                        

Author wrote:
IAH of course, sorry for slipping off into horticulture!.
I've been puzzled in the past why there been glowing references to Kitching
on Farmtalking.

'Perhaps that's because you don't realize that some of the info published on Farmtalking dates from early 2001!'

However it's now plain to see that Pirbright's cover story is

supportive of the conspiracy theory that the Government were using the FMD epidemic to wipe out the farming industry.

'A theory oft repeated but true or false what do we gain from it's repitition?'

The truth is that because of Pirbright's incompetence the Government hadn't
got a clue as to which animals were/were not infected.

'IMO it was not so much 'incompetance' as a lack of preparation to cope with testing samples in the numbers that rapidly became legion in the early days of the FMD outbreak in 2001. Dr. Kitching and Pirbright staff did their best but as is frequently the case, it wasn't good enough.'

As for Kitching's

inferral that significant numbers of samples were being tested for virus (a claim
only made subsequent to the epidemic), it's absolute nonesense. Think about it!

'I don't have to! – I realized at the time that they were doing their best and testing significant numbers, all the staff working overtime and more, but sadly, it still wasn't enough.

One of the reasons why from the start of FMD I did what I could to promote the use of vaccination and subsequently the recommendations of Prof. Fred Brown and the use of the Smart Cycler for pen side tests when ever possible.'

They would have needed to conjure up a small army of skilled technicians and needed several acres of building to house all the cultures!

'Quite!

But again I have to say that finding fault with individuals or Govt Departments whether or not we knew then or know now that they were/are guilty of negligence or incompetance, serves no good purpose today. It won't bring back the slaughtered animals or return the farmers that have given up, to their farms.

Surely it is better to concentrate on what we know now. We have two choices if we believe the intention was/is to wipe out the British farming industry.

1. First of all to find out why. Has anyone come up with a good reason yet? If they do and we agree it's a good decision we will have to adapt our way of life to cope without Bristish farming. 2. If we disagree with the decision, if indeed one is proven to exist, then as individuals we must strive to maintain the industry in one way or another. Some of us are trying to support it even today!

Many have tried to preserve their industries, in steel, coal-mining and fishing without success, but who knows maybe agriculture will prevail after all?

Or maybe the facts turn out to be that it's not the Govt's intention to wipe out farming but simply to change it!

As we know, not may people like changes but in time they do adapt and learn accept them, well at least until the next time!