Disease plans backed by 1967 farmer

The 1967 outbreak started in Mr Harris' pigs

The farmer at the centre of the 1967 foot-and-mouth epidemic says he supports the way the government is tackling the aftermath of the current crisis.

Trevor Harris, whose farm at Oswestry in Shropshire triggered the 1967 outbreak, said he did not begrudge farmers the massive compensation payments being paid out.

He also welcomed the three proposed inquiries into the epidemic, in particular efforts to look at the future of farming in the UK.

I never thought we would see foot-and-mouth again

Trevor Harris

Mr Harris said agriculture had endured a crisis over the last three years and planning for the future was crucial.

The 1967 epidemic was the last time there was a major outbreak of foot-and-mouth in the UK.

That eight-month crisis resulted in the slaughter of 442,000 animals after more than 2,364 outbreaks were detected.

It cost the UK an estimated £150m in slaughter costs and lost sales in 1967 and 1968.

A total of £27m was paid out to farmers in compensation.

Massive task

By contrast there have been 1,947 cases and 3,718,000 animals slaughtered since the current crisis began in February.

So far, the government has spent £2.3bn and 37 farmers are expected to receive £1m each in compensation.

Mr Harris said news of the latest outbreak was a terrible shock

But Mr Harris said people should understand that tackling foot-and-mouth is a massive task.

"People don't realise how big a job it is on every farm. And we had a lot less stock on the farm than they do today."

Current rules over the burial of cattle carcasses over five years old meant piles of slaughtered stock had to be burned. In 1967 carcasses were buried.

Mr Harris had a mixed stock of about 90 cattle, 250 sheep and 30 pigs. The disease was spotted in the pigs and all his animals were slaughtered.

Within a couple of days, neighbouring farms were also struck down.

He was later told the source was traced to Argentinian meat and bones he had bought for his dogs.

Inadequate compensation

Mr Harris said early compensation payments were inadequate and lower than ones paid later.

"No account was taken then of how big the epidemic would be," he said.

"As the epidemic went on there was a fear that the stock value was going to be dearer when people started to restock.

More animals have been slaughtered in the recent outbreak

"It is ironic that they did seem to give adequate compensation from the beginning this time.

"But I grudge no one having high compensation at the present time.

"It takes 10 or 15 years to get back a good dairy herd."

Mr Harris welcomed the government announcement that there will be three inquiries into the crisis - one to assess the handling of the outbreak, a scientific review and a commission on the future of farming and food.

"The last one is very, very important," he said.

"There is a real need to look at agriculture and whether we need a proper agriculture that will pay its way in this country.

"Agriculture has been in a tremendous crisis and it has been very, very difficult to make a living on a ordinary family farm.

"The family farm today is in grave danger and I think the rural communities will be sorry if it is something that they lose."