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UK - £160,000 for bovine TB

MEAT TRADE NEWS DAILY
26 Nov 2010

New £160,000 support service starts for farmers dealing with bovine TB

A new support service for farmers to help them deal with the impacts of bovine TB and reduce the risks of further outbreaks was announced by Agriculture Minister Jim Paice yesterday.

The Defra-funded TB advice and support service was launched as Mr Paice visited Taverner's Farm in Kennford near Exeter to discuss the impact of the disease.

Although Taverner's does not have TB in its cattle, the farmer is all too aware of the devastating effects an outbreak can have on rural livelihoods.

From yesterday, all TB affected cattle farmers can access free support from the Farm Crisis Network (FCN) on the financial and business implications of an outbreak. As part of the £160,000 scheme, trained volunteers will provide confidential advice on where to go for more specialised help and support.

For the worst-hit, the charity's new Business Support Group will work directly with farmers to provide tailored advice through the length of their outbreak.

Speaking at the Devon farm, Mr Paice said: "This is not financial support, this is people support to help with all the many issues that crop up when your farm is affected by TB.  It is about how to overcome the fact they may have lost their cash flow, about managing the business, and managing your life under this huge pressure.  Some farmers are not coping – that's the harsh reality of it."

Farmer Rob Taverner said: "We are very fortunate here not to have any TB, but I am very much aware of friends and other farmers who do and are struggling. For those that do have it, they can't sell anything. Their cash flow has gone. They just hope that in a year's time they are either clear or can sell their stock. It is like any one of us who has a job not being paid for a year.  Farmers get very anxious, depressed and angry – especially when scientists, the government and wildlife organisations are squabbling over it, while they are stuck in the middle not earning a living."

Defra, the NFU, Animal Health and the Food and Environment Research Agency have developed a joint training programme on practical biosecurity measures for farmers.

On-farm events will be rolled out later this year.

The Government's badger cull proposals are out for public consultation until December 8.

Yesterday, Mr Paice revealed there had been 1,600 responses so far, but he was not willing to disclose their content.

He said he planned to reveal the results of the consultation and the Government's plan of action to fight bovine TB in February. Mr Paice added: "We've got to tackle this disease from all sides. Realistically, it could take 20 years to eradicate bovine TB altogether."

thisisdevon Source: newsroom - meattradenewsdaily.co.uk

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