David Heath
HEATH QUIZZES THE GOVERNMENT OVER FOOT-AND-MOUTH POLICY
David Heath, MP for Somerton and Frome, made two interventions in a debate about foot-and-mouth in the House of Commons on Wednesday. Mr. Heath voiced his concerns about the use of an incinerator in his constituency for the disposal of infected carcases and the restrictions imposed on small producers for the movement of pigs.
Commenting David Heath MP said:
“I was delighted to be able to contribute to this debate and to address a couple of issues regarding foot-and-mouth that have been concerning me and a number of my constituents.
“Many people in Somerset are rightly concerned about infected carcasses being taken from the area of the foot-and-mouth outbreak into my constituency, into the heart of dairy country, for disposal.
“The Government assure me that there is no risk of infection and that the carcasses are transported in sealed containers but I am not sure of the wisdom of lorries travelling from the protection zone into an area densely populated with dairy cattle. I think that it is an unnecessary and avoidable risk.
“I am also concerned about the limited movement orders for pigs only being available to producers in established pyramid schemes. This issue was brought to my attention by a small farmer from Muchelney, who fattens weaners on his premises, but cannot bring in weaner stocks or move fattened pigs.
“I am not sure how the Government can justify this distinction between small producers and large producers. It seems unnecessarily punitive towards small farmers.”
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