THE two meetings held by MAFF, to explain the reasons why the site (the Barrows at Aishmoor) was chosen and the safety of the method chosen left me feeling very concerned.
The site was chosen because it had the right sort of clay, we were told at the first meeting. At the second we were told it was not suitable. It was also described by the experts as a dry area. My own experience has shown this not to be true.
Although the experts provided seemed fairly well briefed in the theory of the method, none showed any experience of using this method. If they had I would have been surprised as my own research in this area has not come up with any other site in the world using this method successfully for the disposal of large numbers of carcasses.
They were very careful to explain their own areas of responsibility with MAFF/the Government with overall responsibility.
MAFF's organisational ability during the foot and mouth outbreak has left a lot to be desired as every farmer I have spoken to would confirm.
For them to be in charge of such a major project which has potential catastrophic consequences makes me shudder.
Foot and mouth itself has little effect directly on human health while large numbers of carcasses lumped together could easily have fatal effects on human health.
The objective of the measures being undertaken is to provide disease-free status for the livestock. What about disease-free status for the children of Meeth, Petrockstowe and surrounding areas?
Neil Price
41 Bridge Street
Hatherleigh