APPENDIX 24
Memorandum submitted by John and Linda
Chamberlayne (P24)
We have a dairy farm with 100 cows and followers.
Our farm is badly affected by TB. Until August
2000 we cannot remember having TB on our farm for 30+ years. We
then had an outbreak that lasted to February 2001 then had another
outbreak in January 2002 which is ongoing. In total we have lost
42 animals, 38 of the milking/in calf heifers.
We are convinced this is linked to the badger
problem because:
1. The river flooded and flooded out the
badger sets, our badgers that had been on our farm in all probability
drowned as it was a flash flood and we believe were replaced by
badgers that we believe were infected with TB (as there was already
TB on neighbours farms);
2. We have seen badgers that are ill on
our farm, having found a dead one in one of our buildings;
3. Our neighbours have found ill badgers
on their farms as well.
We have taken steps to minimise the risk eg
putting water tanks up on blocks, not putting feed onto the ground
and fencing off the badger sets. It is a dereliction of duty by
DEFRA not to tackle the problem in the wildlife. It is no good
only taking out half of a problem. Our animals will continue to
go down with TB if this policy continues, as every time they go
out to grass they run the risk of being exposed to the TB disease.
We find it a problem being shut with TB as we
have to keep many more calves than we would normally do, but the
main problem is not being allowed to restock when cows are taken
with TB. At the moment farmers are only allowed to restock after
one clear test but that can take many months if not years (we
have had TB for over a year and it is still ongoing although we
have had one clear test within in this time) and by that time
having lost a great many animals as in our case. Not being allowed
to restock will cause great hardship both mentally and financial
in paying bills and paying rent. It is hard seeing animals go
to slaughter that look perfectly healthy (and when test results
come back prove to be negative) but add to that financial worry
as well and it will cause even greater problems for the family.
Possible future legislation on quote eg 70%
usage rule or risk having the quota confiscated could be a big
problem to dairy farmers shut up with TB and not allowed to restock,
as these farmers will not be producing the milk as necessary to
fulfil quota regulations. Something the Government will have to
address.
The Government cannot keep waiting for the Krebs
trial to be completed, it must take action now especially in hot
spots such as ours in Gloucestershire. The Irish seem to be further
ahead on their trials, could we not use their findings?
Thank you for giving us this opportunity to
address the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.
31 January 2003
| 
