Defra has claimed that it has no money for a welfare cull of hill lambs despite the Scottish Government stressing that it has a moral responsibility to pay for it.
That prompted an angry response from NFU Scotland at the negligent attitude of the UK Government to the consequences of an outbreak that it is partly, if not wholly, responsible for.
Richard Lochhead, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, and a team of senior Scottish officials had forcefully conveyed the scale of crisis faced in Scotland to Secretary of State Hilary Benn, UK chief vet Debby Reynolds and Department for Environ- ment, Food and Rural Affairs officials at a meeting on Thursday.
The First Minister, Alex Salmond. has personally intervened in the wrangle by writing a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown that makes a very strong case for such a cull. Despite that, the Defra officials played down the problem, stressing there was no issue right now in England.
While the financial wrangling continues between government north and south of the border NFUS and other industry bodies are working with Lochhead on the detail of a welfare cull scheme and an announcement of firm proposals is expected by the middle of next week.
An alarming development this week was the revelation that 139 animal movements have been recorded as going off farms in the 50 kilometres in Surrey, but there is no record of them coming on to farms. In other words, 139 animals have come out of the highest risk zone in Great Britain and vets have no idea where they have gone.
James Withers, deputy chief executive of NFUS, said: "It is absolutely critical that farmers record all on-movements. Not only is it a legal requirement, it is essential for disease prevention. Any farmer who has an animal whose on-movement was not recorded should record it today.
"Additionally, it is worth noting that, of the five confirmed cases of foot and mouth, only two have been reported by farmers. The other three have been discovered by vets, hence the importance of regular checking of livestock, at least once a day.
"All keepers of livestock, whether they are commercial businesses, or the so-called "good-lifers" have a responsibility to the welfare of their animals and the rest of the industry."
Seminars organised for organic farmers The Scottish Organic Producers' Association (SOPA) and Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) are running seminars throughout Scot- land looking at the options for organic farmers in trying to meet the new feed standards (for 100% organic feed for ruminants) required by the European Union and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Debs Roberts, SOPA development officer, who is co-organising the joint seminar road shows throughout Scotland said: "100% organic feed is crucial to maintaining consumer confidence and product integrity of organic meat and milk.
"Producers coming along to these seminars will learn how they can maintain their organic status as well as reminding ourselves that organic farming is a low input system."
Sessions will cover organic livestock farming principles and organic livestock standards. Local farmers will outline their feeding programmes and look at practi-cal feed planning and feed rations.
For further details of seminars in your area contact Roberts on 0131 335 6619.
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