MP pushes for support to farmers hit by bird flu epidemic
On the floor of the House of Commons yesterday, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron urged ministers to give financial support to farmers who are set to be hammered this winter due to the bird flu epidemic.
The Government have announced that from next Monday (November 7th), all poultry and captive birds in England must be kept indoors.
About 5.5m birds have now died or been culled since October 2021 - that includes 2.3m birds this October alone.
Speaking during an Urgent Questions in Parliament, Tim said: "21 years on from foot and mouth disease devastating our communities in Cumbria, we are especially sensitive to not only the animal welfare consequences of outbreaks of animal diseases such as avian flu, but the crushing impact on people, livelihoods and the wider community.
"Will the Minister say more about the support he will be giving - compensation and other support - to poultry farmers directly affected and to those who will be indirectly affected by this hammering of their business, which puts their businesses at risk?
"Given that the Department has delayed imposing mandatory housing until next week, what evidence is there that this window could not now trigger panicked and unsafe practices, creating greater infection and increased misery for communities such as mine?"
Responding, the Minister for Farming, Mark Spencer, said: "Clearly, the housing order came in following the best scientific and veterinary advice that we have, but I cannot reiterate enough the impact that improved biosecurity has on those units over a housing order.
"I recognise the impact that foot and mouth disease had in the honourable gentleman's part of the country and the mental scars it leaves on livestock holders. We have brought forward the compensation scheme so that cash flow is assisted. In bringing forward the moment at which the compensation scheme kicks in, we have also brought forward the moment at which the compensation is received in the bank account of the affected farmer.
"However, we cannot pay compensation for consequential losses further down the track. As a society, we will have to monitor and support those whose mental health is affected and address the impact that has on many, many families up and down the country."