Farmer's challenge over TB cash

Poppy is led to slaughter

A south Devon farmer is challenging the government over compensation for organic cattle infected with TB.

One of Rory O'Connor's 60 organic cattle has been diagnosed with TB and as a result must be slaughtered.

Mr O'Connor, from Diptford, says Poppy is worth premium compensation of £1,500 because she is a higher-value organically-reared cow.

But the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), will pay only the regular £642.

Mr O'Connor makes an emotional appeal to the state vet

Poppy was being taken for slaughter on Wednesday as Mr O'Connor made a final emotional appeal to a state vet over compensation for Poppy, who he has owned for nine years.

But the vet could do nothing because Defra currently does not include organic cattle in its compensation tables.

Mr O'Connor has also organised a petition about what he says is unfair compensation.

He said: "This is a travesty and a slap in the face, which I am not prepared to accept lying down.

"What does it say about Defra's commitment to organic farming if we are being treated in this way?"

Defra said that organic cattle could be included in the compensation tables in the future.

It said in a statement: "We are aware that some farmers have expressed concern over the compensation system, especially in relation to animals seen as of high value, such as organic cattle.

"We are discussing these concerns with the farming industry, for example through the cattle compensation advisory group - to see whether the system needs modifying."

A total of 965 cattle herds out of a total 5,590 in Devon are under restricted movement rules as a result of testing positive for TB.