The British government announced on Monday a 12.5 million pound sterling rescue package to support farmers in England hit by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.
The package announced by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn includes 8.5 million pound sterling in one-off payments to hill farmers, 1 million pound sterling for full compensation for culled stock, and 2 million pound sterling to help promote British meat. The aid package also includes 1 million pound sterling for farming charities and a loosening of red tape to reduce paper work for farmers who are experiencing difficulties.
Benn said farmers had had an "exceptionally difficult summer" as the farm industry had suffered the double impact of foot-and- mouth and bluetongue diseases in the past months.
"I have announced this help worth 12.5 million pound sterling to further alleviate the difficulties faced by the industry. This outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been a tremendous blow to farming, especially as it has happened at the time of year when the majority of livestock farmers need to move their animals to generate income," Benn said.
The National Farmer's Union (NFU) welcomed the news, but said the aid amount would fall far short of what is needed. The NFU described the amount of 12.5 million pound sterling as effectively a drop in the ocean compared with more than 100 million pound sterling the outbreak has cost the industry.
NFU President Peter Kendall said in a statement "The measures announced by the government are a whole lot better than nothing and the assistance for hill farmers will be particularly welcome."
He called on the government to be prepared to offer further support if necessary.
The government's support follows the decision by animal health officials last week that livestock markets could resume in some parts of Britain not thought to be at risk of foot-and-mouth disease or bluetongue.
However, farmers in the south-east of England that are within the risk zones are still prohibited from taking their livestock to market.
Source: Xinhua
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