MP backs farmers in fight over TB (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

MP backs farmers in fight over TB

WEST Wilts MP Dr Andrew Murrison met local farmers on Friday at the invitation of the National Farmers' Union in Warminster.

The MP was on hand to discuss farmers' growing concerns over bovine TB, after a study in Ireland found the badger population was responsible for the spread of the disease to cattle.

Also on the agenda was the need to promote bio-fuels, the importation of cheap foodstuffs into the UK, and the farm gate price of milk, which farmers believe is inadequate to sustain many dairy herds a view backed by thousands of WI members, who voiced their support for farmers over the issue after their annual conference this year.

Dr Murrison said: "We had a very productive meeting and, as ever, a free and frank exchange of views.

"DEFRA is not helping farmers with their critical cashflow problems and far too much money is being channelled into the EU Common Agricultural Policy.

"Locally the government's procrastination over bovine TB is causing considerable grief to the sector.

"I will shortly be writing to Agriculture Secretary Margaret Beckett about this."