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ADRIAN OWENS - Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman, West Lancashire
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Foot and Mouth affects local Farmers too
Although West Lancashire is not a major livestock farming area the effects of foot and mouth disease have been felt locally says Adrian Owens who has been talking with local livestock farmers. Adrian says “Local farmers have been hit by movement restrictions and the need to spend more on animal feed. Although movement restrictions have been relaxed this week, the continuing export ban risks a major fall in meat prices. This will impact on the incomes of livestock farmers just as they were starting to see prices reach levels last seen before the last foot and mouth outbreak in 2001.” “While every business has its risks, it is both shocking and unacceptable that this virus could have escaped from a research facility that is licensed, regulated and inspected by the Government. Since the last outbreak of foot-and-mouth, our local farmers have been forced to implement an increasing number of stringent biosecurity measures, but the Government is unable to ensure the safety of its own premises.” Copyright © 2007, Adrian Owens - Revised -- 24/09/07 |
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