Writing to the Chairman!

Originally from: Farmtalking
                        
Yes Duncan! you can write to him here:
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and here's a copy of what I sent earlier today!(minus the attachments as I'm sure you have them already! – Jane

Dear Mr Curry,

I have read the questions you posed to Mr Elliot Morely at the Select Committee hearing and his replies. I was interested to note his reference to those who produced Help Packs for farmers.

You may be like to know that since 10th March I have operated a website and 24 hour/7 day a week telephone help-lines for those
farmers and pet owners affected by FMD. (see <A HREF="http://www.farmtalking.com/">FARMTALKING.com</A> )

I was determined to ensure that the information I gave to those who contacted me for help was accurate and strictly within the law. I have been greatly assisted to do this by lawyers, vets and scientists who have provided me with information.

I published a 'Help Pack' which always carried my name, address and telephone number. This was widely distributed by myself to those who requested it, by E-mail, Fax and Post.
I have attached an example for your information.

I am aware that in some instances, my 'Help Pack' was copied and distributed by others and in some cases some of the information was deleted and sometimes different advice added without my knowledge or approval.

I will be pleased to provide you with any further information you require concerning Farmtalking and what I have done and continue to do.

I notice from Mr Moreley's reply to Mr Tim Yeo that he states 7,549 farms were slaughtered as Dangerous contacts and 255 as Slaughter on Suspicion. Following test results for these farms, I understand only 5 proved postitive. I would like to know if Mr Moreley is including the Contiguous farms in these figures as I know that many farms deemed contiguous and slaughtered, were not blood tested either prior to, or after slaughter. I also know that there were 'clinically diagnosed' farms that were slaughtered but the diagnosis was not confirmed by serological tests. I feel it is essential that we know how many farms that were slaughtered for whatever reason, were not serologically tested for the presence of virus or antibodies.

There is little doubt that many healthy animals were slaughtered on clinical diagnosis that was never confirmed by laboratory tests. There is also little doubt that many of these animals were suffering from common afflictions such as foot rot and orf which were mistaken for FMD by inexperienced vets (often from abroad or small animal practices), who were unfamiliar with these afflictions and FMD.

Surely it is essential we know how many animals were slaughtered without testing? Without this figure all data is rendered incomplete and even with it, we would still not know how many animals were actually infected. If there is no proof that diagnosis was accurate the data is surely incomplete and so there can be no justification of any part of the policy or models on which it appears to have been based.

I have also attached for your information a short article I wrote on the 16th June, titled 'Don't Pre Judge the Judge' following receipt of a memo sent to local MAFF offices which appeared to recommend intimidation of farmers resisting slaughter.

I look forward to your reply,

Yours sincerely,
Jane Barribal – Farmtalking.com

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