Shropshire foot and mouth horror recalled
Shropshire farmers today spoke of the devastation caused by foot and mouth disease on the 10th anniversary of its outbreak. Shropshire farmers today spoke of the devastation caused by foot and mouth disease on the 10th anniversary of its outbreak. In 2001 the outbreak led to farmers losing their livelihoods as livestock was burned to eradicate the disease. Foot and mouth was discovered at an Essex abattoir on February 19 and quickly spread across the UK. John Davies, who farms near Llanidloes, said: "I was sadly one of the many who had to have their livestock destroyed 10 years ago and it has without doubt affected us a lot, emotionally and financially. Full story in today's paper
Shropshire farmers today spoke of the devastation caused by foot and mouth disease on the 10th anniversary of its outbreak.
In 2001 the outbreak led to farmers losing their livelihoods as livestock was burned to eradicate the disease.
Foot and mouth was discovered at an Essex abattoir on February 19 and quickly spread across the UK.
John Davies, who farms near Llanidloes, said: "I was sadly one of the many who had to have their livestock destroyed 10 years ago and it has without doubt affected us a lot, emotionally and financially.
"So many of us had to watch our livestock being culled in this most drastic fashion."
Martyn Rowley, from Buttercross Farm, near Market Drayton, said: "My resounding memory of the foot and mouth outbreak was dread.
"One of the worst things that happened was when 300 of the pigs were stolen during the outbreak."
David Collier, NFU regional director based in Telford, said: "The NFU and farmers across Shropshire have played their part in moving on and foot and mouth has been eradicated."
