should we contact defra?

[BroadfordQueen]

today (about 10 minutes ago infact) about 10 cows escaped from their field up our road (they have nothing to do with us). They ended up right by the main road, so we had no choice but to go and shoo them back up the road- we got them in their field but the fence was demolished- nothing we could do. My grandad knew the owner of the cattle so we phoned him and he gave us the number, no answer. so we called the police- nothing else we could have done as if we left them they would of escaped again and possibly gone onto the main road, and we had nothing to fix the fence with...

so they have sorted it out but didnt mention F&M. Should we contact defra regarding disinfecting the roads? or should we just try and contact the cattles owner and recommend he disinfect the road..?

 

[RunToEarth]

Why are they suspected to have it?

 

[BroadfordQueen]

no, i just thought you had to be extra careful, hence the ban on livestock transport..or am i wrong?

 

[Eccles]

Worcestershire isn't in the exclusion zone is it and these are just escapee livestock, personally it wouldn't cross my mind to inform DEFRA in this instance

 

[Happytohack]

As the police have been informed, it is their decision whether or not to inform DEFRA. Strictly speaking as there is a nationwide ban on the movement of all ruminants, this farmer has broken the terms of the ban - but if I were you, I would leave it up to the police.

 

[welshies]

Do you mind me asking where in Worcs?

 

[maisie]

The farmer has not deliberately broken the terms of the ban - yes his fencing should be more secure, but he has not knowingly gone out to move his cattle. Comments like that make my blood boil - don't you realise how hard it is for a farmer to make a living these days without people reporting them for something they haven't done

.

 

[Magicmillbrook]

Hey Maisy I dont think you should be slating Ponyclubeventer, she is being extremely sensible - DEFRA rules state that any cattle movement on roads (for dairy herds etc when it is unavoidable) should be followed by disinfection.

I am sure DEFRA would not penalise the farmer, after all it was not an intentional breach of the ban. Yes farmers have to make a living, I am from a family of dairy farmers myself and know full well how devastating the last F&M outbreak was. I believe following the rules, no matter how trite they may seem is better than having a repeat. I would go back to the police and ask them if they have contacted DEFRA and suggest they do so.