'Ghastly Statistics' moves on!
Originally from: Farmtalking
It is both interesting and amusing to note the train of thought as contributors to this board have managed to lead the Post I made 'Ghastley Statistics' into a Dog Show!
The jist of the matter still seems to be, that there are 'bad apples in every basket' as we well know.
Farmers who care little for their animals or land, dog breeders who have the same disregard for their animals and from recent experience it would seem, the NFU, DEFRA, and our Government, all have their share of 'Bad apples'.
However, we have been fortunate to have accessed the truth concerning the FMD virus, are well aware exactly what antibodies are, have gained knowledge concerning the various tests, ELISA Vnt, Probang, etc., We also know that vaccination is the way to go to bring the disease under control and eventually eradicate it world wide. Among the bad apples, the great majority remain sound fruit.
Surely we now need to concentrate our efforts together, realise we are all pretty good apples at heart and continue to ask the Government why they are not introducing a vaccination policy without any further delay?
The 'Bad Apples' will always crop up, in whatever industry, hobby, organization we care to name, the important thing to do is to isolate them or remove them from the basket altogther, before they manage to rot all that surrounds them!
We must not allow small differences of opinion among us to become a rapidly multiplied rotting virus bourne on the winds of umbridge!
Jane
Originally from: Susan Staunton
Hi Jane
I see you are talking of rotting apples – how clever of you to guess what is for dessert here at Chez Staunton this evening!!
At the risk of making myself a ghastly statistic today (it is after all fairly ghastly that a B&B Proprietor would not have her rooms ready as she was too busy e-mailing all day) I would just like to add that an exchange of opinions doesnt necessarily always have to be a difference of opinions, just occasionally it falls victim to the impossibility of conveying your tone of voice on this new-fangled contraption. I have found the contributions on this thread today both stimulating and educational and I would like to thank those who have contributed for that, even if we have gone off at somewhat of a tangent now!
Now back to those rotting apples
Best wishes
Sue
Originally from: Roger Ledger
Hello y`all. Can i come in on this please? Thanks.
On and off today, i have been popping in on the other `Ghastly Statistics` debate.This was originally an intelligent and,to me,an informative discussion on `The way forward`. Sadly, it ended in a few unecessary outbursts which spoilt the whole thing. Unlike myself ( one fingered ) you girls can obviously type as you think. Perhaps,sometimes you should think before you type!! Now please make up. It was good.
Also,please stop picking on `Townies` 1/ They pay your bills,and 2/ Most do care as you found out recently in Park Lane. STOP KNOCKING AND EDUCATE!! Lisa. Welcome!
You have been battling away at `Heart of Devon` for months and have an awful lot to offer this super group.Please do not be put off! I hav`nt been able to do my travels in Devon recently, but i was there, briefly, abt.4 weeks ago. I saw the `Pyre` in Holsworthy,still being maintained. Could`nt be much closer to the Town could it? I also made a point of visiting the `Hole` at Ash Moor and had a chat with the protesters and signed their petition. I presume they are still there? As it happened it was the day of the two page spread on `the` site. I know what the fears are when the Tourists go home,and hope that everyone is being as dilligent now as they were then. Regards to Noel and hope his `Green `Wellies` have overflowed many times! Roger Ledger.
1
Originally from: Roger Ledger
Duncan. Unfortunately,popping in and out all day,the conversation had moved on on the other Ghastly Statistics conversation when i posted on this one if you know what i mean.Anyway it appears a bit out of context now. Forget it.
Roger.
Originally from: Duncan
Who is picking on townies – and who does not stop to think before they type – I am Intrigued Roger as to who you mean.
The discussion was on the way forward – if you mean it got spoilt because I or someone else offered a different view point so be it. Is that not what discussions groups are all about. Why should we all have to go along with the same road. I am still waiting for my questions to be answered regarding 'where is farming heading?
Coleen
PS I do think before I type always.
Originally from: Lisa
well done Coleen,
Lisa
Originally from: Lisa
Thanks Roger,
We are at the stage now of how quite to continue, but for as long as I can I will!
Everyone in Devon fears a re-emerge, apparantly there were outbreaks in Leicester, I read in the paper this morning. Anyone know where?
And big food companies responsible for vaccination not being taken on board. what can we say! It is difficuilt to condone folk when they are all so concerned protecting their own pockets. If only Blair had followed his own conscience, rather than pressure from the FDF. Though I am inclined to agree with Susan I don't think it would have made much difference which govt had been in, the problem is a societal one of not seeing the countryside as particularly valid in the scheme of things other than tourism.
the only difference between Labour and Tory is Tory do have a history of being more involved in the countryside and definitely have marginally more understanding of it , in England anyway. I believe the position might be slightly different in scotland where farming is more integral with the cities and Scotland has a tradition of being Labour, therefore it would make sense they had historically been more involved.
England's farming is totally different with the rich agribusiness of the Southern counties compared to the smaller less affluent family farms of Cumbria Devon etc
Lisa
Originally from: Sue Mason
Lisa – re your Leics query:
Blood samples from cattle in Leicestershire were today being tested after two suspected cases of foot-and-mouth disease were reported in the county, four months after the last confirmed case in the county.Thirty-seven cattle have been slaughtered on the farms, one at Copt Oak, near Loughborough and one in the Hinckley area, as a precautionary measure, said a spokeswoman for the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Emergency restrictions have been imposed on the farms and others within a 3km area will be kept under surveillance, but there were no plans for a contiguous cull, the spokeswoman said.The first cattle were slaughtered on Friday evening, and the cattle at Hinckley slaughtered yesterday, she added.The last confirmed case in Leicestershire was on April 23 in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.Shadow agriculture secretary Tim Yeo told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It is a reminder that this epidemic is not over, it hasn't gone away."This will be particularly bad news if it's moved into an area from which its been clear for four months. But even if these cases are not confirmed there is still a foot-and-mouth problem I'm afraid."I think the root of the problem is that of course since the Government claimed back in May that the situation was really over, there's been no strategy amongst ministers to eradicate it."You can't have a strategy to eradicate a problem if you claim that you've already solved it."I think what we now need is for the Cabinet committee COBRA to be reconvened. I think it is time Margaret Beckett came back from her holiday, which has gone one quite a long time, that they publish the latest scientific advice, including the advice about vaccination."
Originally from: Susan Staunton
Good Morning Lisa
I hope you had a good weekend.
I do agree with you that "Sunday trippers" etc. probably do not grasp how reliant on farmers we are for stewardship of the countryside. It has gone on for so many centuries that, as with most things, it is just taken for granted. I think that possibly the reason the outcry from rural tourism at loss of income as a result of FMD has been so muted is that we do understand and appreciate that we are interdependent rather than separate entities. One of my reasons for hoping that the Heart groups can spread into urban areas is so that we can bring a greater level of mutual understanding on issues which affect rural and urban of Britain and in some way help to close the divide. As you say in Scotland they are not so great, geographically at least, but there is still much which could be done. I dont know if you have had a chance to read the piece "local food for local people" which I posted from the Times on Saturday, but I think it offers some very good and practical suggestions which we could also involve ourselves in and I am heartened to see that CAT have been asked to go to Westminster to present these. Best wishes
Sue
Originally from: Sue Mason
Lisa – this has just come through on Leicestershire:
A farmer who keeps cattle as a hobby has seen all 18 of his animals, suspected of having foot-and-mouth disease, slaughtered one of the farms in Leicestershire.The suspected outbreak, in Old House Lane, Copt Oak, has meant a three-kilometre exclusion zone has once again been imposed around the area. Government vets were today monitoring animals on neighbouring farms for signs of the disease.This morning the farmer who runs the affected property was not available for comment. A farmer whose property falls within the exclusion zone, said today: "The cattle were more pets than a business for him."He had another job and he is not really a farmer."
The neighbour, who refused to be named, added: "We have spent the last 12 to 15 years building a big pedigree herd and if we had to have them killed it would be devastating. "The vet will be here any minute to look for any signs of the disease, but in the meantime we have not been allowed to move any of the cattle or take feed to our other fields."
A second suspected case and slaughter has been confirmed in Stoke Golding also in Leicestershire. A spokeswoman for the NFU said today: "This is dreadful news for farmers in the region who were hoping things were getting back to normal. "We, as yet, have very little information. The situation is being monitored and the testing of animals on neighbouring properties is continuing _ there are no results back on those yet."
Originally from: Lisa
Hi Sue,
No I haven't seen "local food for local people" yet. Everyone seems to be talking about it. Tourism does understand. unfortunately noone seems to listen to them either which I find extraordinary considering the level of income generated. Just goes to indicate how big big business really is as they get listened to!
Lisa
Originally from: coleen
Good Morning All,
I did read the posting 'local food for local people' and agree with it's aims – I wish them luck.
I thought you might like to read on some observations of how local people and holiday makers in Cumbria buy their produce.
As with anywhere else Cumbria has is share of markets – these are not the farmers markets, but local traders and car boot traders. produce is cheap and seems to be of good quality – and I doubt very much if sourced locally at the price they sell it for.
The meat wagons at these markets are always mobbed out, you can buy 5lb steak, sausages, bacon and usually a chicken thrown in for £10.00 – you get the picture. No questions asked as to where it came from i.e. Country nothing! These are large commercial outlets coming into Cumbria from the Cities Birmingham is one. The fruit, again all manner being sold at half sometimes less then that of the supermarkets, the stalls always pack up almost empty. These markets are a thriving part of everyday life. Please don't think that the type of people who buy from these places (are not what we are out to attract) believe me they are. I have seen hotels and b/b owners buying from these sources. Almost out of date named jam sells better here (its sold cheaper of course) then the stalls selling 'home made' items. This is Cumbria where most of the land is rural – you do not (or did not) have to go far to see animals and green fields in Cumbria. Farming and it's traditions you would think, would be ingrained in most Cumbrians thinking and way of viewing this beautiful County. Well sadly it is not. Do you know the most visited place in Cumbria is Windermere and Bowness (Blackpool in the lakes). I am not knocking Blackpool) far from it, but we have beautiful scenery and that is where the majority of people go, fast food to boot as well! So if this is the case here in Cumbria as rural as they come – how do you get the message over to the majority of people who live in the towns and cities. Most of who only see the countryside on the TV i.e. Emmerdale and such – and that has long left farming behind. Going slightly off topic – but Emmerdale has they say, increased its viewing figures because of this – and introduced a script more in keeping with everyday life sex, and violence! Rural is not popular, laugh, believe it or not – but the 10 million people who watch this programme are some of the money spending public. Sitting back and shouting we want this, we want that has NO effect at all on these people, they have their own needs which are far more important to them – then save British Farming.
We are preaching to the converted on these groups – and some of us – me included do not always like what we read. What use for each of us to keep writing (I agree) we have to get those people out there on board – and fast. Living in the Country although it does have it's own drawbacks, we are protected. Protected from the fast and uncaring World of the Towns and Cities, where nothing stays the same from one day to the next. In order to survive in these environments you have to adapt (go with the flow) or else you are out, as they say. Thousands of people loose their jobs and their homes in the Towns and Cities. Surplus to requirement is a growing trend Worldwide, and one is starting to creep into the countryside, and we will get NO sympathy from outsiders – who probably think we have had it 'easy for to long' if we keep on burying our head in the sand, and refuse to accept that things have to change. I am not even remotely saying what he has done is right – but this is a fact. If the people of GB had of cared what was happening to our animals – and US the people who live in the Countryside – this would have been over months ago. We can in this Country when we feel strong enough about something make a difference ( we chose not to). Labour got back into power – true only 25% voted – but then why did the rest of us just simply to go out and vote him out of power?
Coleen
Originally from: Lisa
For goodness sake can't they confirm before breaking more hearts. poor poor man. 18 pet cows. What sort of society are we?
Lisa
Originally from: coleen
I think that what this whole thread highlighted Jane, whether it be about dogs, cattle, or stats – is that, it is the people who are the common denominator, they do not necessarily have to be 'bad apples', just of the view that theirs is the only way of doing something. These people are in all walks of life! The animals are just the innocent bystanders – the product at the end of the line to be done with as 'we' sit fit.
Hence the mess we are in over FMD!
Coleen
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