WEST Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox claims the Government has failed to recognise the ?very serious threats? facing the farming industry. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Cox highlighted TB as a very real threat to farmers? livelihoods and said they were experiencing difficulty in finding vets to test for the disease. The MP criticised the Government for failing to maintain Devon?s state veterinary service at full complement. He said: ?It is sending the wrong signal to livestock farmers in the area who are struggling to cope with the devastating effects of Bovine TB.? Since being elected in May, Mr Cox said he has been keen to highlight the problems facing rural communities, which have, in his opinion, been neglected for too long. Speaking after the debate he said: ?Farming is essential to the rural economy, and is the backbone of the rural way of life, but it is facing very serious threats to which the Government have so far failed to recognise or respond.? Mr Cox said local farmers were still struggling to recover from foot and mouth and faced competition from imports, which did not have to meet the same rigid and costly production standards. A petition from hundreds of farmers was delivered to Downing Street in June warning of the severity of the situation. Since then the MP has repeatedly called upon the Government to take action. ?An announcement on the Government?s strategy to tackle TB is expected shortly. I hope that this is a signal that they are taking this issue seriously? he added.