Patrick McLoughlin

Conservative Party | West Derbyshire

ANOTHER BURDEN FOR DERBYSHIRE FARMERS

West Derbyshire’s Member of Parliament, Patrick McLoughlin, has expressed concern over Government proposals to introduction Pre-Movement Testing of all cattle over six weeks old.

Mr McLoughlin said “The Government has failed to tackle the spread of Bovine TB which is undermining the future of cattle and dairy farming.   Unfortunately, the Government has now decided that Pre-Movement Testing (PrMT) is the way forward.” 

In a letter to Mr McLoughlin, the High Peak Livestock Society states “ …this will be another intolerable cost to store cattle producers, with no benefit in controlling the spread of bovine TB.  The implications of having to carry out such testing will cause the collapse of the store cattle market as we know it”.

Mr McLoughlin is concerned about the financial implications for farmers.  He said “This will prove yet another huge obstacle for our farmers and will put additional financial strain on livelihoods, many which are already greatly overstretched.  Unfortunately, however, I fear the Government will now press ahead with its plans and, once again, the farming industry will be left to bear the brunt of their ill-advised schemes.

He added “The Government has not addressed the real source of TB, and until it does, the farmers – and the cattle -  will continue to suffer”.