THE next three weeks are 'absolutely critical' for farmers, says Frank Yeo, auctioneer and director of KVN Stockdale which runs Hatherleigh Market, writes Roger Malone.

'Most farmers can see their way through two to three weeks but a lot of winter fodder will run out during that time,' he said.

'They need to be able to move stock to fields where grass is growing, and a lot of that will be away from their main holding.'

Mr Yeo said everyone was anxiously waiting to see if movement of stock for slaughter and to off-land could be allowed at the earliest practical moment.

'We understand the scientific reason for stopping that but we feel there has to be a balance between the science and the practical aspects of these problems.'

He felt the authorities could benefit from more input from people within the region. He believed MAFF should listen and consult with everybody.

'There are aspects of what they are doing that are brilliant. But we still have a question of how hot the hot-spots is at Hatherleigh and Okehampton and whether they really know how to evaluate the situation.'

Mr Yeo said his company was carrying out valuations and was constantly assessing the overall situation in the area regarding the welfare of the animals.

He said everyone was keen to have a practical scheme to start movement of cattle and sheep as soon as possible.

He would like to see a contingency plan for Devon and Cornwall for the consignment of stock direct to the abattoir within the restricted area as soon as is practical.

'It is important at this moment that there should be more abattoirs. Having fewer has created a massive difficulty in these circumstances. But you can understand why there are fewer abattoirs,' he said.

'In an ideal world there would be more. But the industry is so complex that it's going to be impossible to have a network of small abattoirs.'

Mr Yeo felt there should be, from the West Country, a co-ordinated plan involving the NFU, South West Quality Meat, Triple S and the auctioneers over the marketing of stock in the region.

And while some feel farmers' best way forward is to unite in the market place, Mr Yeo recognises this may be more difficult in practice than it is in theory.

'There is a huge number of diverse farmers. They are all individuals and it would be hard to impose a regulatory authority on them.'

But despite the current crisis he believes the farmers will win through.

'They are very determined people. It's a way of life and they are part of a rural community that binds them together. They are resolute and determined — and as a community we will have to fight it together.'