NFU CYMRU FMD Legal Case Underway
UK - NFU Cymru’s legal case relating to the Foot and Mouth outbreak from Pirbright has today got underway with the Union’s lawyers, Thring Townsend, sending letters before action to both Merial and the Institute of Animal Health.
15 November 2007
2 minute read
"When I’ve heard stories of milk having to be poured away, calves assembled for export having to be slaughtered and high quality breeding pigs unable to be shipped, I have not just been dismayed, I’ve been furious."
Dai Davies, NFU Cymru President.
Dai Davies, NFU Cymru President said, “Losses as a direct result of the escape of Foot and Mouth virus have decimated many farming businesses and we are going to throw everything at this in an attempt to help members get redress. It may be, as the Secretary of State Hilary Benn, has said, that the outbreak was due to ‘a unique and unhappy combination of circumstances’, but NFU Cymru does not accept that is the end of the story. Those responsible should be called to account and it will be for the courts to decide who is liable and what losses they are liable for.
“When I’ve heard stories of milk having to be poured away, calves assembled for export having to be slaughtered and high quality breeding pigs unable to be shipped, I have not just been dismayed, I’ve been furious. I’ve been furious not because Foot and Mouth disease got in through our borders, but because it got out from within them. To put it bluntly the Government got us into this mess and its high time they faced up to their responsibilities.”
“I would urge all our members to register to be part of the NFU group action by contacting the NFU FMD legal helpline on 0870 840 0686.
“Members will be required to do nothing other than provide their membership details. Those members who have provided consequential loss details to NFU Cymru still need to register on the FMD legal helpline their interest in our group action.”
