Farmer fails to have carcases removed

Mr Feakins once kept 820 cattle and 700 sheep

A farmer has failed in an appeal court bid to force Defra to incinerate 13,000 tonnes of ash and charred animal remains two years after the foot and mouth crisis.

The rules were brought in during the foot and mouth outbreak to prevent its spread.

But the industry says the rules have become an unnecessary stranglehold.

Letters were handed in at offices across the South West, including Clyst St Mary and Truro, explaining the steps taken by the livestock industry to reduce the risk of disease.

It is an unnecessary weight on farmers that has to be done away with John Daw, National Farmers' Union

It also detailed the impact of the animal movement regime, which remains in force nearly 16 months after the end of the foot and mouth outbreak.

The protest forms part of wider action at Defra offices across the country.

"The 20-day rule has outlived its necessity," said John Daw of the National Farmers' Union.

"There are enough other measures in place now and we feel it should go, it is an unnecessary weight on farmers that has to be done away with."

Review underway

Defra has pledged to listen to farmers' concerns.

"It's important to meet farmers to discuss their concerns about the work that we are involved," said Ben Bennett of the State Veterinary Service, which is part of Defra.

"We have an ongoing commitment to them, they are our customers at the end of the day and we work very closely with them either as individuals or in farming organisations."

A review of the restrictions is currently underway, its outcome will determine whether they are kept in place, eased or scrapped altogether.