Janet Hughes

12 messages

Originally from: frances fish

Dear Jane, Have you an E=mail address ?(failing this a postal one,whilst we still have a postal service -due to lose its monopoly by 2004,I understand,yet another nail in the coffin of rural life I. think).Definitely TR at work here.

Best Wishes,Frances

Originally from: Farmtalking

Janet's e-mail address is:

...

Jane

Originally from: Quita

Frances,

Janet says that her e-mail doesn't work properly, so I will e-mail you her home address in a little while (when I find my address book).

I think she is a very courageous woman!

Love,
Quita

Originally from: Farmtalking

Many of you will remember Janet Hughes who insisted on challenging through the Courts, MAFF/DEFRA’s desire to cull the hefted sheep in the Brecon Beacons.

When Janet found out about their intentions she contacted many of the graziers who had sheep on the Beacons and offered to be a guarantor for them and take out an injunction to prevent the culling. However, no-one was willing to accept her suggestion.

Therefore, Janet bought ten hefted sheep and making an application herself, the judge made an order for a hearing on 16 August after which no further culling took place on the Beacons.

The case was heard on 21 August when the judge refused permission for both an injunction and judicial review.

However, Janet continued the fight and took the case to Appeal in Cardiff on 21 January 2002. When permission was again refused she made an application to the European Court of Human Rights. That application was made in June 2002 and a decision on it’s admissibility could take up to a year.

The costs to take the case to Court in Cardiff amounted to over £21,000, and donations amounting to £10,500 were made from people from all over the UK. The remainder came from Janet's family savings.

When there were no more funds left for solicitors fees, Janet continued to tackle MAFF/DEFRA through the Courts representing herself but when her case was lost the judge laid the costs at Janet’s door. Amounting to some £17,000 (£13,000 for DEFRA and £3,800 for the Welsh Assembly,).

Janet has no funds left to pay these costs and had believed DEFRA would wait for the decision from the European Court of Human Rights before claiming them. However yesterday, the 28th January 2003, Bailiffs arrived at her home to collect payment and when that was not possible they listed her possessions. They will return to seize them on behalf of the Court in 5 days time unless Janet can settle the debt.

We should remember that during 2001 the situation was very grave all over the UK. In the Brecon Beacons alone, had the cull continued, there would have been drastic consequences for the hefted sheep population and the environment.

There is no doubt that MAFF/DEFRA and the Welsh Assembly were planning to cull many more sheep, but after the Court hearing their personnel left the area.

The time and money that Janet gave, at considerable personal cost, was of benefit to all who are concerned about animal welfare and the necessity for disease control to be based on sound science and the use of modern methods of diagnostic test and vaccine.

We have to be very grateful that Janet at least succeeded in stopping the cull in Brecon.

It is extremely urgent that we do all we can to help Janet to pay these costs and I appeal to everyone to send as much as they can afford and please send it now!

Thank you very much!

Please make cheques/postal orders payable to:-

‘Save the Sheep Appeal Fund’

Send them to:-

Laurels Cottage.
Churchstoke.
Montgomery.
Nr.Powys.
SY15 6SR

For more information see –
http://www.blaikiewell.com/saveoursheep

Originally from: Joyce

It does occur to me that Janet may have SAVED Defra a large sum of money that would have had to have been paid out in compensation to farmers if the killing of the Brecon sheep hadn't been stopped. I wonder how much that was?
Joyce

Originally from: Farmtalking

I've received the following message from Barbara Bradshaw concernng Janet Hughes and pass it on together with my reply for your information.

I spoke to Janet this morning and she is endeavouring to contact the Court/Bailiffs to arrange a delay in the Baiiff's return and set up a regular payment to the Court of the outstanding debt. She has promised to let me know how she gets on.

However, Janet herself can afford very little each month and therefore it is very urgent that we help all we can. She has assured me that all donations received will be paid to settle these outstanding costs.

Best wishes – Jane

We must help this lady.

Personally I can't send what I would like to send because of my overdraft. I am sure this applies to many others. However I will make a small donation.

I have just phoned BBC Wales. They are very interested.
As I had just made a copy of the e-mail I read from it and offered to Fax it. This I did straight away and I was thanked for alerting them.

Let's hope something good comes out of this.

Barbara

Thanks Barbara! –

I have also sent a donation from the Farmtalking Legal Fund today and I do hope others will do the same!

Thanks also for contacting the Press in Wales – I certainly hope they follow it up!

Best wishes – Jane

Author wrote:
Many of you will remember Janet Hughes who insisted on challenging through the Courts, MAFF/DEFRA’s desire to cull the hefted sheep in the Brecon Beacons.
When Janet found out about their intentions she contacted many of the graziers who had sheep on the Beacons and offered to be a guarantor for them and take out an injunction to prevent the culling. However, no-one was willing to accept her suggestion.
Therefore, Janet bought ten hefted sheep and making an application herself, the judge made an order for a hearing on 16 August after which no further culling took place on the Beacons.
The case was heard on 21 August when the judge refused permission for both an injunction and judicial review.
However, Janet continued the fight and took the case to Appeal in Cardiff on 21 January 2002. When permission was again refused she made an application to the European Court of Human Rights. That application was made in June 2002 and a decision on it’s admissibility could take up to a year.
The costs to take the case to Court in Cardiff amounted to over £21,000, and donations amounting to £10,500 were made from people from all over the UK. The remainder came from Janet's family savings.
When there were no more funds left for solicitors fees, Janet continued to tackle MAFF/DEFRA through the Courts representing herself but when her case was lost the judge laid the costs at Janet’s door. Amounting to some £17,000 (£13,000 for DEFRA and £3,800 for the Welsh Assembly,).
Janet has no funds left to pay these costs and had believed DEFRA would wait for the decision from the European Court of Human Rights before claiming them. However yesterday, the 28th January 2003, Bailiffs arrived at her home to collect payment and when that was not possible they listed her possessions. They will return to seize them on behalf of the Court in 5 days time unless Janet can settle the debt.
We should remember that during 2001 the situation was very grave all over the UK. In the Brecon Beacons alone, had the cull continued, there would have been drastic consequences for the hefted sheep population and the environment.
There is no doubt that MAFF/DEFRA and the Welsh Assembly were planning to cull many more sheep, but after the Court hearing their personnel left the area.
The time and money that Janet gave, at considerable personal cost, was of benefit to all who are concerned about animal welfare and the necessity for disease control to be based on sound science and the use of modern methods of diagnostic test and vaccine.
We have to be very grateful that Janet at least succeeded in stopping the cull in Brecon.
It is extremely urgent that we do all we can to help Janet to pay these costs and I appeal to everyone to send as much as they can afford and please send it now!
Thank you very much!
Please make cheques/postal orders payable to:-
‘Save the Sheep Appeal Fund’
Send them to:-
Laurels Cottage.
Churchstoke.
Montgomery.
Nr.Powys.
SY15 6SR
For more information see –
http://www.blaikiewell.com/saveoursheep

Originally from: Farmtalking

Donations to help can be made payable to "Save Our Sheep Appeal", Laurel's Cottage, Churchstoke, Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6SR, Telephone/Fax: 01588 620 591. Or paid into any branch of the Nationwide Building Society Trust Acc no: 0863/703 560 350, Sort Code 07–00–93,

Author wrote:
I've received the following message from Barbara Bradshaw concernng Janet Hughes and pass it on together with my reply for your information.
I spoke to Janet this morning and she is endeavouring to contact the Court/Bailiffs to arrange a delay in the Baiiff's return and set up a regular payment to the Court of the outstanding debt.
She has promised to let me know how she gets on.
However, Janet herself can afford very little each month and therefore it is very urgent that we help all we can. She has assured me that all donations received will be paid to settle these outstanding costs.
Best wishes – Jane
We must help this lady.
Personally I can't send what I would like to send because of my overdraft. I am sure this applies to many others.
However I will make a small donation.
I have just phoned BBC Wales. They are very interested.
As I had just made a copy of the e-mail I read from it and offered to Fax it.
This I did straight away and I was thanked for alerting them.
Let's hope something good comes out of this.
Barbara
Thanks Barbara! –
I have also sent a donation from the Farmtalking Legal Fund today and I do hope others will do the same!
Thanks also for contacting the Press in Wales – I certainly hope they follow it up!
Best wishes – Jane
Author wrote:
Many of you will remember Janet Hughes who insisted on challenging through the Courts, MAFF/DEFRA?s desire to cull the hefted sheep in the Brecon Beacons.
When Janet found out about their intentions she contacted many of the graziers who had sheep on the Beacons and offered to be a guarantor for them and take out an injunction to prevent the culling. However, no-one was willing to accept her suggestion.
Therefore, Janet bought ten hefted sheep and making an application herself, the judge made an order for a hearing on 16 August after which no further culling took place on the Beacons.
The case was heard on 21 August when the judge refused permission for both an injunction and judicial review.
However, Janet continued the fight and took the case to Appeal in Cardiff on 21 January 2002. When permission was again refused she made an application to the European Court of Human Rights. That application was made in June 2002 and a decision on it?s admissibility could take up to a year.
The costs to take the case to Court in Cardiff amounted to over ?21,000, and donations amounting to ?10,500 were made from people from all over the UK. The remainder came from Janet's family savings.
When there were no more funds left for solicitors fees, Janet continued to tackle MAFF/DEFRA through the Courts representing herself but when her case was lost the judge laid the costs at Janet?s door. Amounting to some ?17,000 (?13,000 for DEFRA and ?3,800 for the Welsh Assembly,).
Janet has no funds left to pay these costs and had believed DEFRA would wait for the decision from the European Court of Human Rights before claiming them. However yesterday, the 28th January 2003, Bailiffs arrived at her home to collect payment and when that was not possible they listed her possessions. They will return to seize them on behalf of the Court in 5 days time unless Janet can settle the debt.
We should remember that during 2001 the situation was very grave all over the UK. In the Brecon Beacons alone, had the cull continued, there would have been drastic consequences for the hefted sheep population and the environment.
There is no doubt that MAFF/DEFRA and the Welsh Assembly were planning to cull many more sheep, but after the Court hearing their personnel left the area.
The time and money that Janet gave, at considerable personal cost, was of benefit to all who are concerned about animal welfare and the necessity for disease control to be based on sound science and the use of modern methods of diagnostic test and vaccine.
We have to be very grateful that Janet at least succeeded in stopping the cull in Brecon.
It is extremely urgent that we do all we can to help Janet to pay these costs and I appeal to everyone to send as much as they can afford and please send it now!
Thank you very much!
Please make cheques/postal orders payable to:-
?Save the Sheep Appeal Fund?
Send them to:-
Laurels Cottage.
Churchstoke.
Montgomery.
Nr.Powys.
SY15 6SR
For more information see ?
http://www.blaikiewell.com/saveoursheep

* This message has been edited by Farmtalking on 01 Feb 2003 05:58:02 *

Originally from: Farmtalking

Alistair McConnachie writes: During the FMD Scandal of 2001, Janet Hughes, from Montgomery, Wales, was appalled at the needless slaughter she saw in the Brecon Beacons and surrounding area, and she vowed to stop it.

Knowing she needed a "personal interest" to take the government to court, she purchased 10 Welsh Cross-Cheviot sheep from a Brecon's grazier. On 16 August 2001, Janet launched an Injunction against the National Assembly of Wales and MAFF, to stop the culling.

This action immediately stopped the culling on the Beacons.

The Court hearing was heard on the 21 August 2001, and as well as attempting to take out an Injunction, Janet also applied for a Judicial Review of government policy. A Judicial Review is an official review of government policy which will determine its legality.

Unfortunately, however, she was denied both an Injunction and a Judicial Review of the slaughter policy.

However, on 27 August 2001 she lodged an Appeal against this decision, and since the court hearing of 21 August, only 120 sheep were ever culled on the entire Beacons. This cull was on the 27 August 2001 and was only a small percentage of a flock belonging to a farmer who had already signed the form giving killing authority.

However, her legal action, although unsuccessful, effectively ended the culling policy in Wales.

Dafydd Morris, from the Council of the Welsh Highland Shepherds believes that had it not been for her, then DEFRA would have continued to slaughter throughout the Beacons and into North Wales.

On the 30 January 2002, Janet Hughes appealed in Cardiff against being denied a Judicial Review, but was unsuccessful there also.

Janet Hughes has demonstrated an astonishing degree of selflessness and social conscience.

Farmers throughout Wales have a lot to thank this woman for, and it is a national scandal that her efforts are so little known or appreciated, especially by those who ought to be thanking her.

We reported her court cases on our website at http://www.sovereignty.org.uk/features/footnmouth/jhughes.html
http://www.sovereignty.org.uk/features/footnmouth/jhughes_2.html

Not surprisingly, DEFRA have never forgotten – nor forgiven – Janet for her successful efforts which stopped them in their bloody tracks.

On Tuesday 28 January 2003, DEFRA sent round the bailiffs to Janet's house, demanding £17,000 in costs for the August 2001 court case, even though they know she is unable to meet these costs.

So far, she has listed her car, and her son's toy jeep among other things for the bailiffs to take away.

As supporter Sue Burton told SOVEREIGNTY: "DEFRA sent in their Bailiffs today to list her possessions. They've terrified both Janet and her 12-year-old son Matthew. Janet fought the case to help end the killing of the Brecon Beacon sheep – it was a fight that many of us believed in, but couldn't fight – she had the courage to stand up and take on that fight. Matthew has stood beside his Mum and supported her. Tonight he's inconsolable. It's appalling that they're facing losing their possessions – as a family they've given enough towards the FMD fight. We need to help anyway we can."

Alistair McConnachie

Author wrote:
Donations to help can be made payable to "Save Our Sheep Appeal", Laurel's Cottage, Churchstoke, Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6SR, Telephone/Fax: 01588 620 591. Or paid into any branch of the Nationwide Building Society Trust Acc no: 0863/703 560 350, Sort Code 07–00–93,
Author wrote:
I've received the following message from Barbara Bradshaw concernng Janet Hughes and pass it on together with my reply for your information.
I spoke to Janet this morning and she is endeavouring to contact the Court/Bailiffs to arrange a delay in the Baiiff's return and set up a regular payment to the Court of the outstanding debt.
She has promised to let me know how she gets on.
However, Janet herself can afford very little each month and therefore it is very urgent that we help all we can. She has assured me that all donations received will be paid to settle these outstanding costs.
Best wishes – Jane
We must help this lady.
Personally I can't send what I would like to send because of my overdraft. I am sure this applies to many others.
However I will make a small donation.
I have just phoned BBC Wales. They are very interested.
As I had just made a copy of the e-mail I read from it and offered to Fax it.
This I did straight away and I was thanked for alerting them.
Let's hope something good comes out of this.
Barbara
Thanks Barbara! –
I have also sent a donation from the Farmtalking Legal Fund today and I do hope others will do the same!
Thanks also for contacting the Press in Wales – I certainly hope they follow it up!
Best wishes – Jane
Author wrote:
Many of you will remember Janet Hughes who insisted on challenging through the Courts, MAFF/DEFRA?s desire to cull the hefted sheep in the Brecon Beacons.
When Janet found out about their intentions she contacted many of the graziers who had sheep on the Beacons and offered to be a guarantor for them and take out an injunction to prevent the culling. However, no-one was willing to accept her suggestion.
Therefore, Janet bought ten hefted sheep and making an application herself, the judge made an order for a hearing on 16 August after which no further culling took place on the Beacons.
The case was heard on 21 August when the judge refused permission for both an injunction and judicial review.
However, Janet continued the fight and took the case to Appeal in Cardiff on 21 January 2002. When permission was again refused she made an application to the European Court of Human Rights. That application was made in June 2002 and a decision on it?s admissibility could take up to a year.
The costs to take the case to Court in Cardiff amounted to over ?21,000, and donations amounting to ?10,500 were made from people from all over the UK. The remainder came from Janet's family savings.
When there were no more funds left for solicitors fees, Janet continued to tackle MAFF/DEFRA through the Courts representing herself but when her case was lost the judge laid the costs at Janet?s door. Amounting to some ?17,000 (?13,000 for DEFRA and ?3,800 for the Welsh Assembly,).
Janet has no funds left to pay these costs and had believed DEFRA would wait for the decision from the European Court of Human Rights before claiming them. However yesterday, the 28th January 2003, Bailiffs arrived at her home to collect payment and when that was not possible they listed her possessions. They will return to seize them on behalf of the Court in 5 days time unless Janet can settle the debt.
We should remember that during 2001 the situation was very grave all over the UK. In the Brecon Beacons alone, had the cull continued, there would have been drastic consequences for the hefted sheep population and the environment.
There is no doubt that MAFF/DEFRA and the Welsh Assembly were planning to cull many more sheep, but after the Court hearing their personnel left the area.
The time and money that Janet gave, at considerable personal cost, was of benefit to all who are concerned about animal welfare and the necessity for disease control to be based on sound science and the use of modern methods of diagnostic test and vaccine.
We have to be very grateful that Janet at least succeeded in stopping the cull in Brecon.
It is extremely urgent that we do all we can to help Janet to pay these costs and I appeal to everyone to send as much as they can afford and please send it now!
Thank you very much!
Please make cheques/postal orders payable to:-
?Save the Sheep Appeal Fund?
Send them to:-
Laurels Cottage.
Churchstoke.
Montgomery.
Nr.Powys.
SY15 6SR
For more information see ?
http://www.blaikiewell.com/saveoursheep

Originally from: Farmtalking

Donations can also be made via the Farmtalking Legal Fund – Set up to aid those who could not afford legal costs to defend their livestock through the Courts.

http://www.farmtalking.org/legalfund.html

If you would like your donation to go specifically to help Janet Hughes, please make that clear when you send it, either by post (PO's or cheque made payable to 'The farmtalking Legal Fund) or via e-mail and Nochex. Thank you!

Author wrote:
Donations to help can be made payable to "Save Our Sheep Appeal", Laurel's Cottage, Churchstoke, Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6SR, Telephone/Fax: 01588 620 591. Or paid into any branch of the Nationwide Building Society Trust Acc no: 0863/703 560 350, Sort Code 07–00–93,
Author wrote:
I've received the following message from Barbara Bradshaw concernng Janet Hughes and pass it on together with my reply for your information.
I spoke to Janet this morning and she is endeavouring to contact the Court/Bailiffs to arrange a delay in the Baiiff's return and set up a regular payment to the Court of the outstanding debt.
She has promised to let me know how she gets on.
However, Janet herself can afford very little each month and therefore it is very urgent that we help all we can. She has assured me that all donations received will be paid to settle these outstanding costs.
Best wishes – Jane
We must help this lady.
Personally I can't send what I would like to send because of my overdraft. I am sure this applies to many others.
However I will make a small donation.
I have just phoned BBC Wales. They are very interested.
As I had just made a copy of the e-mail I read from it and offered to Fax it.
This I did straight away and I was thanked for alerting them.
Let's hope something good comes out of this.
Barbara
Thanks Barbara! –
I have also sent a donation from the Farmtalking Legal Fund today and I do hope others will do the same!
Thanks also for contacting the Press in Wales – I certainly hope they follow it up!
Best wishes – Jane
Author wrote:
Many of you will remember Janet Hughes who insisted on challenging through the Courts, MAFF/DEFRA?s desire to cull the hefted sheep in the Brecon Beacons.
When Janet found out about their intentions she contacted many of the graziers who had sheep on the Beacons and offered to be a guarantor for them and take out an injunction to prevent the culling. However, no-one was willing to accept her suggestion.
Therefore, Janet bought ten hefted sheep and making an application herself, the judge made an order for a hearing on 16 August after which no further culling took place on the Beacons.
The case was heard on 21 August when the judge refused permission for both an injunction and judicial review.
However, Janet continued the fight and took the case to Appeal in Cardiff on 21 January 2002. When permission was again refused she made an application to the European Court of Human Rights. That application was made in June 2002 and a decision on it?s admissibility could take up to a year.
The costs to take the case to Court in Cardiff amounted to over ?21,000, and donations amounting to ?10,500 were made from people from all over the UK. The remainder came from Janet's family savings.
When there were no more funds left for solicitors fees, Janet continued to tackle MAFF/DEFRA through the Courts representing herself but when her case was lost the judge laid the costs at Janet?s door. Amounting to some ?17,000 (?13,000 for DEFRA and ?3,800 for the Welsh Assembly,).
Janet has no funds left to pay these costs and had believed DEFRA would wait for the decision from the European Court of Human Rights before claiming them. However yesterday, the 28th January 2003, Bailiffs arrived at her home to collect payment and when that was not possible they listed her possessions. They will return to seize them on behalf of the Court in 5 days time unless Janet can settle the debt.
We should remember that during 2001 the situation was very grave all over the UK. In the Brecon Beacons alone, had the cull continued, there would have been drastic consequences for the hefted sheep population and the environment.
There is no doubt that MAFF/DEFRA and the Welsh Assembly were planning to cull many more sheep, but after the Court hearing their personnel left the area.
The time and money that Janet gave, at considerable personal cost, was of benefit to all who are concerned about animal welfare and the necessity for disease control to be based on sound science and the use of modern methods of diagnostic test and vaccine.
We have to be very grateful that Janet at least succeeded in stopping the cull in Brecon.
It is extremely urgent that we do all we can to help Janet to pay these costs and I appeal to everyone to send as much as they can afford and please send it now!
Thank you very much!
Please make cheques/postal orders payable to:-
?Save the Sheep Appeal Fund?
Send them to:-
Laurels Cottage.
Churchstoke.
Montgomery.
Nr.Powys.
SY15 6SR
For more information see ?
http://www.blaikiewell.com/saveoursheep

Originally from: Farmtalking

It has been suggested that there are those at DEFRA who do have a heart – certainly many there do have a certain amount of sympathy with the opposition to the "postcode" contiguous culling of 2001.

A tactful email or letter to DEFRA from those who feel that Janet Hughes' legal stand was the altruistic act of a courageous woman might do some good. Politely to request that she should now be left in peace rather than harried for money that she quite evidently hasn't got might reach the desk of someone who can intervene. Example letter.

FMD Science and General Policy Team
Animal Movements and Exotic Diseases Division
Defra Area 610,
1A Page Street,
London, SW1P 4PQ

GTN 3290 6984

Tel 020 7904 6984
Fax 020 7904 8123
Email address: ...

Author wrote:
Donations can also be made via the Farmtalking Legal Fund – Set up to aid those who could not afford legal costs to defend their livestock through the Courts.
http://www.farmtalking.org/legalfund.html
If you would like your donation to go specifically to help Janet Hughes, please make that clear when you send it, either by post (PO's or cheque made payable to 'The farmtalking Legal Fund) or
via e-mail and Nochex. Thank you!
Author wrote:
Donations to help can be made payable to "Save Our Sheep Appeal", Laurel's Cottage, Churchstoke, Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6SR, Telephone/Fax: 01588 620 591. Or paid into any branch of the Nationwide Building Society Trust Acc no: 0863/703 560 350, Sort Code 07–00–93,
Author wrote:
I've received the following message from Barbara Bradshaw concernng Janet Hughes and pass it on together with my reply for your information.
I spoke to Janet this morning and she is endeavouring to contact the Court/Bailiffs to arrange a delay in the Baiiff's return and set up a regular payment to the Court of the outstanding debt.
She has promised to let me know how she gets on.
However, Janet herself can afford very little each month and therefore it is very urgent that we help all we can. She has assured me that all donations received will be paid to settle these outstanding costs.
Best wishes – Jane
We must help this lady.
Personally I can't send what I would like to send because of my overdraft. I am sure this applies to many others.
However I will make a small donation.
I have just phoned BBC Wales. They are very interested.
As I had just made a copy of the e-mail I read from it and offered to Fax it.
This I did straight away and I was thanked for alerting them.
Let's hope something good comes out of this.
Barbara
Thanks Barbara! –
I have also sent a donation from the Farmtalking Legal Fund today and I do hope others will do the same!
Thanks also for contacting the Press in Wales – I certainly hope they follow it up!
Best wishes – Jane
Author wrote:
Many of you will remember Janet Hughes who insisted on challenging through the Courts, MAFF/DEFRA?s desire to cull the hefted sheep in the Brecon Beacons.
When Janet found out about their intentions she contacted many of the graziers who had sheep on the Beacons and offered to be a guarantor for them and take out an injunction to prevent the culling. However, no-one was willing to accept her suggestion.
Therefore, Janet bought ten hefted sheep and making an application herself, the judge made an order for a hearing on 16 August after which no further culling took place on the Beacons.
The case was heard on 21 August when the judge refused permission for both an injunction and judicial review.
However, Janet continued the fight and took the case to Appeal in Cardiff on 21 January 2002. When permission was again refused she made an application to the European Court of Human Rights. That application was made in June 2002 and a decision on it?s admissibility could take up to a year.
The costs to take the case to Court in Cardiff amounted to over ?21,000, and donations amounting to ?10,500 were made from people from all over the UK. The remainder came from Janet's family savings.
When there were no more funds left for solicitors fees, Janet continued to tackle MAFF/DEFRA through the Courts representing herself but when her case was lost the judge laid the costs at Janet?s door. Amounting to some ?17,000 (?13,000 for DEFRA and ?3,800 for the Welsh Assembly,).
Janet has no funds left to pay these costs and had believed DEFRA would wait for the decision from the European Court of Human Rights before claiming them. However yesterday, the 28th January 2003, Bailiffs arrived at her home to collect payment and when that was not possible they listed her possessions. They will return to seize them on behalf of the Court in 5 days time unless Janet can settle the debt.
We should remember that during 2001 the situation was very grave all over the UK. In the Brecon Beacons alone, had the cull continued, there would have been drastic consequences for the hefted sheep population and the environment.
There is no doubt that MAFF/DEFRA and the Welsh Assembly were planning to cull many more sheep, but after the Court hearing their personnel left the area.
The time and money that Janet gave, at considerable personal cost, was of benefit to all who are concerned about animal welfare and the necessity for disease control to be based on sound science and the use of modern methods of diagnostic test and vaccine.
We have to be very grateful that Janet at least succeeded in stopping the cull in Brecon.
It is extremely urgent that we do all we can to help Janet to pay these costs and I appeal to everyone to send as much as they can afford and please send it now!
Thank you very much!
Please make cheques/postal orders payable to:-
?Save the Sheep Appeal Fund?
Send them to:-
Laurels Cottage.
Churchstoke.
Montgomery.
Nr.Powys.
SY15 6SR
For more information see ?
http://www.blaikiewell.com/saveoursheep

Originally from: Joyce

Thought you might like to see the reply I received to my e-mail asking for compassion to be shown to Janet. Pity they didn't think of their "responsibility to protect public expenditure" in 2001. Joyce

Thank you for your email of 1February 2003 concerning the recovery of costs from Janet Hughes of Montgomery, Powys.

Janet Hughes was ordered by the Court to pay Defra's legal costs following an unsuccessful Judicial Review claim. The Department has a responsibility to protect public expenditure. Janet Hughes should have been made fully aware of the possibility of having to pay costs for unsuccessful litigation by her legal advisers at the time. Defra has given her a number of opportunities to put forward payment proposals. No such proposals were made. Defra had no option but to seek to recover taxpayers' money by taking enforcement action. Mrs Hughes has now made an offer and we are in correspondence with her.

Martyn Dilley
FMD Science and General Policy Team
Animal Movements and Exotic Diseases Division
Defra
Area 610, 1A Page Street, London, SW1P 4PQ
GTN 3290 6984
Tel 020 7904 6984 Fax 020 7904 8123
Email address: ...