THE foot-and-mouth outbreak has brought panic, uncertainty and stagnation to farms around Petersfield. Unable to move livestock, farmers are forced to play a waiting game, with cattle markets unable to trade, and breeding rendered impotent. As national headlines point the finger of blame for the outbreak on what appears to have been "a major lapse of security" in a government research laboratory in Pirbright, Surrey, there is rising anger in the farming community over a system that looks to trade in double standards. According to former Hampshire National Farmers' Union chairman David Ashcroft, the news has come as a shock to farmers who are forced to follow stringent bio-security procedures and go out of their way to abide by the law. The Selborne beef farmer said: "We feel badly let down by the very people who are supposed to be working towards preventing the spread of this devastating disease." He added: "If I (a mere farmer) was responsible for this 'lapse of security', I would now be in jail." Mr Ashcroft has joined the growing number of farmers upset over the lack of contact from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the failure to close footpaths sooner in the three-kilometre protection zones, and uncertainty over the closure rules. Uppermost in their thoughts is the need to prevent the outbreak from becoming an epidemic. Mary Holloway, a cattle farmer based near Rake, breeds various cattle, including Shetlands, with her 30-strong stock situated across various local wildlife reserves, including Lynchmere and Chapel Commons. Understandably concerned about Friday's outbreak of the disease, she spoke on the questions raised over the suitability of the Institute for Animal Health at Pirbright, and the reaction from central government. "It was recommended that something ought to be done urgently in 2002, but nothing has been done. "On the one hand, I commend their quick reaction; there is certainly a difference in the way government have reacted. However, it was recommended in 2002 that the laboratory was 'not fit for purpose'," she lamented. Understandably concerned about the outbreak, she continued: "It is very worrying, because the outbreak at Elstead is only 14 miles away as the crow flies from the reserve at Lynchmere Common. "More than anything, it is the not knowing whether it's going to get any closer. From a practical point of view, I am not able to move anything, which is particularly worrying on open access common land as people continue to walk on there. During the last outbreak, the government shut everything down, but they haven't this time. "I have put signs up to plead with people to keep off for a couple of weeks but it doesn't seem to have an effect. People continue to walk their dogs there. "It seems they don't understand the implications – we just don't know where foot and mouth is. My animals are situated where I do not have control of the bio-security." With her cattle spread across several areas, Mrs Holloway continued: "It is good and bad in some ways. If one site was to become affected, the others away would hopefully not be contaminated. "And I really hope we don't get any more cases for a few weeks. If that's the case, we can be reasonably sure that it is under control. But I think it will be some time before the movement restrictions are lifted. I was due to sell some cattle, but I can't do that at the moment." Meanwhile, Hilary Robinson, owner of Scotland Farm in Hawkley, a working farm and bed and breakfast, was equally dismayed. With August representing prime time for bookings in the school holidays, she has already seen several cancellations. "It's a double whammy with both a farm and a bed and breakfast here. "I've had some cancellations from guests who were booked in August for family holidays who are perturbed with the disease not being contained, and they'd prefer not to risk it." She also finds her 30-strong herd stagnated, unable to sell bulls which have been fattened. Mrs Robinson outlined the measures she has undertaken since news of the outbreak. "We are being extremely vigilant, checking the cattle three or four times a day, which is more often than normal. "We are waiting, trying not to panic and waiting for advice. I just hope it doesn't have a further impact on cancellations or bookings." Meanwhile, a public helpline has been set up by Hampshire County Council as part of its co- ordinated response to assist Defra in dealing with the foot-and-mouth outbreak in Surrey. Anyone requiring further information should contact the Defra helpline on 0845 9335577 or visit the Defra website http://www.defra.gov.uk">www.defra.gov.uk. Hampshire County Council's helpline for local enquiries is 01962 844106.
