WELFARE SCHEME FOR FARMERS URGENTLY NEEDED

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 1st Oct 2007

Local MP Sandra Gidley has urged the government to launch a welfare scheme to help farmers to secure a fair price for their livestock.

Animal prices have fallen by up to half in the last two weeks so Sandra is calling on the Government to support farmers by ensuring decent minimum prices to allow farms to recover financially.

Commenting Sandra said:

"This year is turning into a horror story for British farming with both foot and mouth and bluetongue hitting our countryside.

"This is happening at the worst possible time for the farming industry just as livestock were being prepared for movement to market.

"If you imagine a scenario where a 'virus' was discovered in late November that led to the closure of every high street in the country for a 6 week period over Christmas and New Year then you may be close to understanding the financial devastation facing farming.

"I welcome the announcement that auction marts will reopen - allowing farmers outside the high risk zone in the South East to get back to business but we are not out of the woods - the farming industry is in serious danger with many farmers at severe risk of going out of business.

"The Government owes it to our farmers to provide the support to keep them going they need to provide a package of support for those most adversely affected"