News story

9th April 2001

MP Keeps up Pressure over Foot and Mouth

Local MP Steve Webb has challenged Agriculture Minister Nick Brown in the House of Commons over the pressing needs of local farmers affected by the Foot and Mouth outbreak. Responding to a statement by the Minister on Monday (9th April), Steve Webb highlighted the fact that the compensation payments which farmers are receiving for slaughtered animals will need to be spent on restocking once the crisis is over, and cannot be eaten into for day-to-day living expenses. He pointed out that farmers who are still in business but have little or no income have very few rights to claim social security benefits, and asked the Minister what farmers were meant to be living on. In reply, the Minister said that farmers would have to take difficult decisions about their long-term futures once the crisis was over, and implied that some might not want to remain in farming. On this basis, the compensation payments that they had received could be used to sustain them now. Commenting, Steve Webb said that the Minister’s reply offered no help for farmers who want to remain in farming and who need help in surviving through the present crisis.

The MP has also tabled a series of written questions to ministers about a wide range of issues including the pros and cons of a vaccination strategy, the advantages of giving the army a more active role, and the welfare of animals on non-infected farms. Away from Westminster, Steve Webb has spoken to several of the farmers affected by the outbreaks and has liaised closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and with army officers who are overseeing the culling operation locally. He has also spent a large amount of time with local residents who are concerned about the environmental and other effects of the burning of animal carcasses.

Steve Webb said:

“At this very difficult time for local people, it is vital that their concerns are heard at Westminster by ministers who are deciding how to respond to the crisis. I am working hard at keeping in touch with farmers and other rural residents, many of whom are feeling very isolated. I will also keep up the pressure for more active support for hard-pressed rural businesses, many of which have been promised much but have precious little to show for it.”

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