Self-Sufficiency in Style

making dreams come true

Homesteading, self-sufficiency, hobby farming or even survivalism, call it what you will, producing your own food is still possible. 

Many dream of such a life, but few attempt it, believing it beyond their grasp.

MEDIA RELEASE

9 July 2004

LIVE EXPORTS OF SHEEP TO STOP?

Britain expects to lose the “Disease Free Status” that
 allows live sheep to be shipped overseas for slaughter.

“Disease Free Status” is awarded according to the stringent European Commission requirement of random testing for diseases such as Brucella melitensis.

But Britain’s farmers have discovered that Britain’s State Veterinary Service have no legal right to enforce testing and many are refusing to co-operate, thus frustrating the European Union conditions for allowing the controversial export trade.

Small farmers are resisting massive pressure from Government officials to co-operate on a voluntary basis.

The Government has recognised that random testing of a reducing subset of self-selected volunteers is not the same as random testing of the national flock and does not meet European Union rules.

Claiming intimidation, one Norfolk smallholder, Pat Gardiner, insisted

“If Parliament had intended that Defra should be able to force co-operation, they would have made testing a legal requirement. They did not do so.

If the Defra vets try to bully us again on behalf of Brussels, we will call the police. We only have two ewes and yet have still been selected twice in the last four years.

Live exports are a nasty dirty trade designed to fill the pockets of livestock traders here and on the Continent.  Most small farmers and smallholders seem to feel the same and are unwilling to become involved.

The RSPCA ought to be exposing this scam, but just as during Foot and Mouth, they have failed to tackle obvious cruelty protected by Government.”

End

Note for editors: Transcripts of supporting documents may be accessed below. Originals are available for inspection by arrangement.

 In the first instance, please email to arrange an interview, either in person or by telephone.