Future of £6m burial pits under review

Pits stand empty despite thousands of animals dying

Government officials have promised to discuss the future of a £6m animal burial tip that has never been used.

In November, farming minister Eliot Morley admitted it was costing £20,000 a week to maintain the empty Ash Moor pits in north Devon.

Meadows were dug up to take carcasses from mass culls during the foot-and-mouth disease crisis.

But not one animal was buried in them.

Devon County Council has called for the government to fill in the pits by 31 March.

It asked for a restoration scheme to be drawn up by 31 December 2001.

It costs £20,000 a week to maintain Ash Moor pits

The Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has declined to publish any formal plans.

But a spokeswoman said senior policy officials would consult local people about what should happen to the site.

People living nearby say they are disappointed by Defra's response, but not surprised.

They continue to press for reinstatement of the land, and an inquiry into the affair.

The Ash Moor pits were constructed in the spring, when thousands of animals were being slaughtered.

Pit security

In November, Mr Morley admitted in a parliamentary written answer that £5.6m had been spent on securing and maintaining the pits.

The cost was rising at £20,000 a week, he said.

A Defra spokeswoman said the weekly total included £6,000 on security, £6,000 on drainage and other maintenance, and £8,000 on hiring equipment such as water pumps and lighting.

She said much of that money was contributing to the local economy.