THERE are certain times in history when you can look back and be relieved that you made certain decisions.
In my case, it was to substantially retire from farming following an unsatisfactory settlement of my mother’s estate.
Consequently I have not been personally affected by Defra restrictions and bureaucracy in relation to the latest foot-and-mouth crisis.
Nevertheless I have retained an interest, as I was very much involved during the last outbreak in 2001.
I’ve just returned from a trip to the continent to find there has been little respite for those poor livestock farmers who have been so badly affected by restrictions.
The Government and its mind-boggling bureaucrats at Defra do not seem to have any consideration for all those farmers who have unable to sell their stock.
Their only desire would appear to be to get FMD off the news so the Prime Minister can call a General Election.
In 2001 I was one of those poor unfortunates - and I rigorously observed all the bureaucracy thrown at farmers by MAFF, Defra’s predecessor.
Unfortunately the government finalised the whole matter with its “Lessons to be Learned Inquiry”. When I read that report there was only one suitable place for it - the wastepaper basket - because it completely failed to identify the true time and source of the outbreak.
This time the biggest calamity has been the nationwide ban. It was totally uncalled for, as it was obvious from the outset that this outbreak was almost certainly localised in Surrey.
The problem last time was that the government opted for a cover-up so the general public went uninformed for at least three months during which time the virus found its way into Longtown market and hence the disaster.
Recently, as I travelled through several European countries, I began to realise just how much this country is being left behind in terms of agricultural production and the protection of our countryside.
Anyone travelling from the Channel towards London will find a countryside disaster in terms of road works, overgrown hedges and unused land - as well as all that litter.
In contrast my final country of call, Austria, provided a living landscape of working farmers tending their cattle on their journey to lower pastures, having spent the summer on higher mountain slopes.
It was nice to be in a country where farmers were well respected, tending their livestock whilst cutting their surplus pastures for the last time before winter - necessary as they prepare for the more important skiing season.
