£12.5m in aid pledged to farmers

Culling was carried out when foot-and-mouth disease was identified.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has announced a £12.5m rescue package to support farmers in England hit by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

The package includes £8.5m in one-off payments to hill farmers, £1m for full compensation for culled stock, and £2m to help promote British meat.

Mr Benn said farmers had had an "exceptionally difficult summer".

The National Farmer's Union welcomed the news, but said the £12.5m would fall far short of what is needed.

'Tremendous blow'

Mr Benn said the farm industry had suffered the double impact of foot-and-mouth and bluetongue disease in the past months.

His department said on Monday that the number of premises with bluetongue had risen from 25 to 30.

The aid package will also include £1m for farming charities and a loosening of red tape to reduce paper work for farmers who are experiencing difficulties.

Mr Benn said: "I have announced this help worth £12.5m to further alleviate the difficulties faced by the industry.

AID PACKAGE £12.5m in total £8.5m in payments for hill farmers £2m to promote British meat £1m for 100% compensation for culls £1m for farmers' charities Easing of red tape

"This outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been a tremendous blow to farming, especially as it has happened at the time of year when the majority of livestock farmers need to move their animals to generate income."

But the NFU said the £12.5m was effectively a drop in the ocean compared to more than £100m the outbreak has cost the industry.

NFU president Peter Kendall said in a statement: "The measures announced by the government are a whole lot better than nothing and the assistance for hill farmers will be particularly welcome.

"But, to be blunt, the government's package will make good only a fraction of the enormous financial damage caused by the release of foot-and-mouth virus from the Pirbright facility.

'Heavy battering'

"The fact remains that there are tens of thousands of livestock farmers whose incomes have taken a heavy battering, and for whom this package offers little or nothing in the way of direct financial support."

He called on the government to be prepared to offer further support if necessary.

The government's support follows the decision by animal health officials last week that livestock markets could resume in some parts of the UK not thought to be at risk of foot-and-mouth disease or bluetongue.

However, farmers in the south-east of England that are within the risk zones are still prohibited from taking their livestock to market.

The European Union has also ruled that livestock farmers in Scotland, Wales and the north and south-west of England will be able to export meat to Europe from 12 October - a move welcomed by Mr Benn.