BVA President comments to BBC Radio 4's Farming Today
21 October 2002
According to the programme "reports of farmers flouting the 20 day standstill rule for livestock, haven't surprised most in the industry. The ruling was implemented following the advice of scientists, and relates to the incubation period for foot and mouth disease. Peter Davies, the area Secretary of the Farmers Union of Wales in Camarthen, says such flagrant rule-breaking is happening because farmers have no choice - its that or losing their income. "The government is currently undertaking a risk assessment of the likelihood for the return of foot and mouth disease and it's due to release the results soon. Peter Jinman, President of the British Veterinary Association believes the only way forward is to have a national disease alert system and a variable standstill rule which matches the risk."
Download file pr_20day_211002.pdf
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