May 26, 2011
UK government encouraged to create laws to assist farmers
Speaking prior to this year's Beef Expo event at the Newark Showground, TFA National Vice-Chairman, Stephen Wyrill said, "Livestock farmers have suffered greatly over recent years from the ravages of disease in their herds and flocks, over-regulation, and low prices. For tenant livestock farmers, who do not own the land they farm and rely on a significant amount of their net worth upon the value of their livestock, the past few years have been particularly difficult. However, we are on the threshold of some major government decisions which could turn things around".
"By far the biggest of these decisions, at least for beef and dairy farmers, relates to the control of bovine TB. For too long we have allowed this disease to rampage out of control causing immense suffering and hardship to many. By using only cattle to cattle control measures, without being able to control TB infected wildlife, we have been effectively fighting a losing battle with one arm tied behind our back. Although notwithstanding some opposition, control of TB infected wildlife has advanced in Wales, in England we are still waiting for it to get off first base. Effective wildlife control will take some time to take effect and the longer we delay the more difficult finding solutions will be," said Mr Wyrill.
"There has been much said about the need for a food industry ombudsman. The government has said that it will introduce a statutory adjudicator to oversee the Grocery Supply Chain Code Practice but has delayed its implementation. Again, with the argument won, we do not understand why we cannot now move to implement what is needed to ensure that primary producers receive fair returns and treatment from processors and big retailers," said Wyrill.
