Britain confirms 11 cases of Bluetongue
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown confirmed today that 11 cases of the virulent Bluetongue disease have been detected in British livestock.
The agriculture industry has already been affected by foot-and-mouth and yesterday government officials confirmed that cases of the virulent disease have spread.
The Prime Minister made a brief statement at Downing Street saying: "I've now come from a meeting of our special committee which has discussed the recent incidence and I've also been in discussions with the veterinary service and with the National Farmers' Union and its president.
"There are now 11 cases of bluetongue. We are taking all the action that is necessary within a protected zone. At the same time we've had seven cases of foot-and-mouth.
"There have been no new cases for five days and while we will not be complacent, we are taking action at a very high level within the protected zones there."
Mr Brown stressed that the Government was "absolutely determined to stamp out the disease, to contain, control and eradicate it". He also added the Government would be setting up a 24-hour telephone service to keep farmers informed about the fight against bluetongue and foot-and-mouth.
Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Fred Landeg said on Friday there would be no compensation for farmers because animals were not being culled.
But the Prime Minister on Saturday indicated that the Government would look at the issue of help for the industry, financial or otherwise.
After praising farmers and their union, the NFU, for their resilience and steadfastness, he added: "Hilary Benn will within the next few days consult with the farming industry all over the country.
"He will look at the financial consequences of what's been happening, he will look at what the European Commission is going to be able to do to help us. He will look at the market position of the industry and he will make a statement not least about what we can do to relax regulatory requirements on the farming industry."
© 2007 ireland.com
No comments:
Post a Comment