NFU CYMRU To Persue Legal Fight On Government
UK - "NFU Cymru remains absolutely determined to pursue a legal claim against the Government for its members’ losses during the recent Foot and Mouth restrictions,” said Edmund Bailey, Vice President of NFU Cymru at a recent meeting in Ruthin.
9 November 2007
2 minute read
This is a Government that has for many years now preached to us all about high moral principles and social values. It has stressed ‘education’ at every opportunity, and calls on us all to accept our responsibility to society
NFU Cymru Chairman for Clwyd, Ken Bellis from Llandegla
Addressing the meeting of NFU Cymru members in the county, Mr Bailey added, “We all know that the problems encountered this year in the agricultural industry have been brought about by the Foot and Mouth outbreak. The disease came from a Government licensed establishment, yet the Government has refused to acknowledge its responsibility.
“This is a Government that has for many years now preached to us all about high moral principles and social values. It has stressed ‘education’ at every opportunity, and calls on us all to accept our responsibility to society - yet they themselves are not practicing what they preach. They are clearly shirking their responsibility, which quite frankly is despicable behaviour.”
NFU Cymru Chairman for Clwyd, Ken Bellis from Llandegla added, “It simply beggars belief that the UK Government continues to ignore its moral responsibility following the escape of Foot & Mouth disease from a Government establishment. Several reports by the Health and Safety Executive into the source of the disease now pinpoint a broken pipe at Pirbright as the probable cause of the disease outbreak. Pirbright is a Government licensed establishment and clearly the ‘polluter’ should pay.”
All NFU Cymru members who would like to join the NFU group action should register their interest by contacting the NFU Foot and Mouth Disease legal helpline on 0870 840 0686. Members are required to do nothing other than provide their membership details to become part of this group action.
Ed Bailey concluded, “To my mind there is no doubt that the Government got us into our current dire straits and they have the responsibility to get us out of it. It must own up and shoulder the responsibility for the disease outbreak and fully compensate a devastated industry.
“The Union will leave no stone unturned in an attempt to recover losses incurred by its members as a result of the Foot and Mouth restrictions and to this end we have already committed £150,000 to fund our legal claim.”
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