Have your Say!

Foot and Mouth

Just last week I attended a National Farmer's Union meeting and listened with the deputy-president gave an update on the state of farming in the Britain. For the first time in years things seemed positive- supermarkets are beginning to pay British farmers more for their produce, sustainability is leading to an increase in the amount of produce sourced locally and it seemed better times might have been ahead.

Within 36 hours, the news of the Foot and Mouth cases in Surrey broke and farmers across the country were plunged back into despair. Just when the industry was beginning to get into its stride once again, this massive blow strikes from nowhere. For me it brought images from the early sixties, dipping our shoes in disinfectant at the top of the farm lane on the way home from school.

With a bit of luck, hopefully the outbreak has been contained and the restrictions which were rightly and quickly put in place will be lifted, allowing the exporting and movement of livestock to function as normal. Hopefully the outbreak will be short lived and have only a small impact on the majority of farmers. Hopefully this won't happen again.

But there is something we can all do to help. Although farming only generates 1% of national income, rural life underpins South West Devon and is woven into our everyday lives, our history and future. It is vital for all of us that agriculture prospers. We can continue to use the countryside this year and support the many rural businesses that rely on a very short season. We should continue to buy and eat meat and we should lobby our supermarkets to source and sell local produce from local farms. We should buy from farm shops and butchers whenever we can.

In times of global uncertainty, when all kinds of events could disrupt the fetching and carrying of food supplies around the world, home grown food supplies are vital. It make incredible sense for us to support our local farmers and protect our own supplies of food and other products.

What do you think?

Yours,
Gary

posted by Gary Streeter M.P. on Sunday, August 12, 2007

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