The FMD story grows alarmingly. There appears to be chaos and confusion once more. Misinformation, non-information and contradiction.
With DERFA’s website appallingly devoid of basic facts and figures it seems that even those worried farmers and smallholders in the protection and surveillance zone, desperate for hard news and exact locations, are being kept in the dark.
Tell me, why is the killing of 1,800 animals being treated as the norm? Shouldn’t there be a huge outcry? These animals are not being humanely and gently put down; they’re being corralled and shot.
Killed not culled.
Why aren’t we vaccinating?
And just for good measure the first ever case of Bluetongue disease in Britain has been confirmed in a cow near Ipswich, Suffolk.
This disease is passed from animal to midge and from midge to animal, but is not transmitted from animal to animal. Cattle, sheep, goats and deer can all be infected; humans are not at risk.
And the precautions put in place? Much the same as for FMD I’m led to believe; movement restrictions and killing. So I guess the same goes for all midges in the country…I wish them luck!
I’m beginning to wobble again. And feel rather panicky. I have a dark, deadening feeling that the whole country will be shut down. And I’m really not too sure that I’ll cope.
Can I hear the death knoll for British livestock farming? Generally I’m irrepressibly optimistic, but tonight I’m not so sure.
It was a golden afternoon. I moved the cows and calves to new pastures. They look healthy, beautiful, happy and content…for how long?
11 comments
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September 23, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Jane
You are entitled to “wobble”, most of my friends who are farmers are “wobbling” as well – you aren’t alone. If you need people to grab hold of you and stop you wobbling then I’m sure all the people who regularly read this blog would be happy to keep you upright. Remember those funny little toys you used to get in the 70′s? their sales pitch was “weebles wobble but they don’t fall down”. Wobbling’s allowed…. Try to keep smiling. I wish I could be more help!
September 23, 2007 at 12:36 pm
farmingfriends
Hi Paula, It’s worrying just how little information is in the media. I am sorry to hear that you are feeling wobbly but it is understandable.
Your cattle look beautiful and handsome.
Sara from farmingfriends
September 24, 2007 at 9:17 am
paula
Thank you Jane – you’re right, wobbling doesn’t mean you’ve fallen down! I’m all upright, bright eyed and bushy tailed once more…franticly busy over the weekend trying to sort out 101 jobs on the farm just in case.
Again – thanks for all thoughts and support.
September 24, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Mopsa
Paula
I feel just the same; somehow that ring on the Defra map doesn’t strike me as an impermeable or impenetrable boundary, and I fear the F+M will leach out sometime soon.
September 24, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Jane
One of my partner’s clients has just had a F&M scare on their farm at Petersfield…. a false alarm, but none the less very frightening.
September 24, 2007 at 9:42 pm
mary
Dear Paula – I know that you and other farmers must be very worried at the spread of FMD and now at the arrival of Bluetongue. I also know that during the 2001 outbreak you gave great help and support to the farming community. I live in Guildford and although not involved in farming, live in the surveillance zone so am well aware of the distress caused to those who have lost their herds. I wonder whether this link would be of help to anyone needing advice or support. I have a friend who fund raises for them.
http://www.arc-addingtonfund.org.uk/
All the best and in the hope that the diseases are soon eradicated. I often visit your site and love all your news and also the lovely photos.
September 24, 2007 at 10:31 pm
paula
Mopsa, the confusion I feel at the moment is…confused! They’re checking out a suspected case in Hampshire at the same time as relaxing movements in ‘low risk areas’.
I’m not sure what is trying to be achieved.
September 24, 2007 at 10:34 pm
paula
I’ve been following the Petersfield case, Jane. How horrific for them. Please ask your partner to send them my thoughts as I’m sure the shock will be making them reel for sometime.
September 24, 2007 at 10:48 pm
paula
Mary, thank you for your thoughtfulness. I’m sure that the link you left will be invaluable for anyone in need. I’ll post it on to other farming sites.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the site and hope that I can soon fill it with more light-hearted posts. Fingers crossed (seem to be doing a lot of that this year!), and very best wishes.
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