Important Info?

Originally from: Farmtalking
                        
A few items have landed on my desktop this morning that may be of interest?

Re: Farmtalking

First of all it has been drawn to my attention that some believe the new website www.smallholders.org is replacing www.warmwell.com and www.farmtalking.com

This is not so! As far as I know, Mary has no intention of shutting down Warmwell and continues to update it several times daily to keep us all informed of what's going on in the Media and elsewhere!

I welcome the new website and am sure that Alan and Rosie Beat will ensure it is full of interesting news for everyone and it will be well worth a daily visit, at least!

Farmtalking has been and is, far more than just a website! It may be that I am the lynch-pin but without the unfailing assistance of dozens of friends, many of whom I have never met, it could not provide the information help and support it gives to so many for a variety of reasons.

The Farmtalking website is being re-built as rapidly as possible. The new format will be very easy to navigate and I hope will provide useful information, ideas, advice, archives and links for everyone concerned with Agriculture and life in the countryside. We hope to have it back on-line before the end of January and will do our best to keep it updated as time permits.

The Farmtalking telephone help-lines (01361–850282/850680 & Fax 0870–139–8935) are still available and have been busy over the holiday period, usually manned 24 hours a day.

The Farmtalking message board is still available at http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/farmtalking and anyone is welcome to join. All I ask is that you remain constructive, courteous and polite in your postings!

Farmtalking will remain for as long as it is needed and who knows? Someone else may take it on into the future and make a better job of it than I do at present!

Re: Hearts of Britain

Many of us have been devastated in many ways as a result of FMD and the Hearts of Britain Groups, formed last summer have given encouragement for the future and those involved continue to work hard to build them. They were fortunate to have Viscountess Liz Lowther agree to become Patron of the Groups and she has done much to promote their existence. However, although Lady Lowther will continue to show an interest and offer assistance when and where she can, more of her time must be devoted to her family and their own animals and she expects to spend much of this year and the future, living in France. As a result she feels she will be unable to devote as much time as she would like, to the Hearts of Britain and so is resigning as Patron.

I am sure everyone will wish to thank her for all she has done, not only for Hearts of Britain but for so many affected by FMD, especially in her own county, Cumbria.

Lady Liz Lowther can be contacted by e-mail on: ...

Re: Courts and Costs

As you know a judicial review hearing concerning the call for an Open Public Inquiry into the FMD epidemic has been set for February 19th. I am sure we all hope for a positive result.

Meanwhile several other Judicial Reviews and possible Court Actions and Appeals are in the pipeline. Some farmers and pet owners who resisted the cull of their animals are also appearing in Court over the next few months and I have heard today that others are receiving the bill from lawyers for actions they lost. It seems very likely that the Farmtalking Legal Fund, set up to assist with paying these fees, will be called upon this year. If you would like to contribute to this fund please send your donation to: Ian Smith and Partners, (Farmtalking Legal Fund)
11–13, Murray Street,
Duns,
Berwickshire
TD11 3DF

Thank you!

Re: Slaughter on Test

To clarify the recent slaughters, including one in Northumberland a few days ago. The Government continues to blood test sheep in many areas and if positive antibodies are found, the flock is slaughtered. This is now known as 'Slaughter on Test'.

DEFRA believe that 'persistantly infected' animals pose a risk of spread of disease. Even though we know that expert opinion considers the risk minimal if not non-existant. It is not surprising that positive antibodies will be found, as sheep can retain them for up to nine months after infection and subsequent recovery.

I have also been told from several different sources that incidents of FMD Disease have recently occurred in Devon, County Durham, Dumfries, Northumberland and Cumbria. I am told that the farmers concerned have been required to sign the Official Secrets Act in order to receive their compulsory purchase of livestock at valuation payment.

I have never taken kindly to rumour, these are unconfirmed and I have no proof or actual locations of these alleged incidents. However, if anyone does have factual knowledge of such incidents, I would be grateful if they would let me know.

Jane Barribal – Farmtalking.com