02/02/06
The Tenant Farmers Association has reacted angrily to DEFRA’s
decision to introduce a new
compensation scheme based on table
valuations for cattle in England affected by certain diseases.
TFA National Chairman Reg Haydon said “The tabular system
of compensation is the result of Treasury pressure on DEFRA to
put a brake on the costs of handling bovine TB which DEFRA has
allowed to spiral out of control. DEFRA has failed to take the
necessary decision to control TB in badgers resulting in more cattle
having to be compulsorily slaughtered and a higher overall compensation
bill. DEFRA’s inaction means that cattle farmers will continue
to suffer.”
Mr Haydon will be touring Devon next week where he will take the
opportunity to discuss the chronic and escalating problem of bovine
TB with TFA members.
“Cattle farmers feel let down and frustrated and I am greatly
concerned that the Government’s lack of backbone will lead
to farmers feeling that they have no choice but to take the law
into their own hands. That is something that surely we all want
to avoid - it can be if only the Government would show leadership” said
Mr Haydon.
“The TFA has always opposed the Government’s plans
to introduce a tabular valuation system believing it to be unfair
and inappropriate. However, we told DEFRA that we would be prepared
to accept table valuations with specific conditions. The first
was that it should deal with the issues surrounding cross breed
cattle and cattle of high genetic merit which the tabular system
penalises. The second was that the Government should implement,
with immediate effect, a policy of culling infected badgers in
hot spot areas. The Government has chosen to pay no heed to these
legitimate issues clearly demonstrating that it is not interested
in a partnership with the industry” said Mr Haydon.
“The TFA is gravely concerned that the current consultation
on badger culling is yet another smokescreen for inaction. The
Government’s own scientific advisers have told it that it
cannot control bovine TB with restrictions on cattle alone - there
has also got to be a wide spread cull of infected badgers in hotspot
areas. The same advisers have also pointed out to the Government
that some of the options proposed for culling in its consultation
document have been ruled out by the science. It seems to us that
the Government only listens to the science when it suits them while
cattle herds and farm businesses continue to be decimated” said
Mr Haydon.
 Government
Lacks Leadership On Bovine TB
TB
measures too little, too late
Nine years going no-where with the TB Forum
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