Shows in crisis talks as foot and mouth strikes


by Natalie Cox


CRISIS talks were being held this week by officials of local agricultur­ al shows following last weekend’s foot and mouth outbreak in Surrey. Organisers of Chipping Show will


meet tonight to discuss the implications for their popular Bank Holiday week­ end event. The current nationwide ban on the


movement of any cloven-hoofed ani­ mals, including cattle, sheep and goats, will undoubtedly have an impact on this agricultural show and secretary Stanley Bullock said decisions about this year’s event will be made tonight. Members of the committee responsi­


ble for organising the Hodder Valley show - due to take place on September 8th - also met this week to plan what action they would take. Being a month away, they might be able to run the show as normal if animal movement restrictions are relaxed in time, depend­ ing on how the outbreak develops. DEFRA’s complete ban on animal


movement has also affected the Valley’s auction markets. As we went to press three sales have


been cancelled a t Gisburn Auction Market, although the weekend’s machinery sale went ahead as normal.


Auctioneer and secretary Mr Richard


Turner said business had been “sus­ pended” on Saturday following news of the outbreak. However he added: “I t is looking


from the briefings that we have had up to press as if the abattoirs will start slaughtering tomorrow with animals direct from the farms. We also hope that next week we will be able to oper­ ate collection centres to collect live­ stock and send them to the abattoirs, we may also be able to hold what we call a ‘slaughter-only’ market which will mean that animals will have to go direct to slaughter.” He said Defra will only relax the rules


if they are confident that the outbreak has been contained. Mr Turner also said it was possible th a t movements could be “regionalised”. “The south of England could be


restricted longer than the rest of the country, b u t th a t will depend on whether the outbreak is contained.” He added: “We are hoping that this


will be nothing like the 2001 outbreak and that it is contained.” The increasingly diverse activities


now staged at Clitheroe Auction Mart, has meant that it was business almost as usual this week. Managing director Mr Robert Park­ er, said: “The advantage at Clitheroe is


FLASHBACK (o 2001 when (he Ribble Valley came to a standstill


that we are a very diverse business. The Wednesday operations will continue as normal, the Sunday car boot will oper­ ate as normal and the furniture sales as normal, it is only the livestock side which has been affected and there will be no sheep or beef cattle being sold. Hopefully for us the outbreak will be contained to one source and we can look forward to operating the livestock side of things as soon as possible.” 9 Lancashire. County Council’s Trad­


ing Standards officers are continuing to support efforts to ensure Foot and Mouth disease does not hit the county. Animal Welfare officers have been


working since the weekend to ensure all the necessary precautions are taken. Now the public is being asked to remain vigilant and report any suspicions they may have of animals being moved ille­


gally. County Councillor Jean Battle said:


“The support and co-operation from the farming community has been very good and we are all working together to safeguard the industry a t this time. However our phone line is available for any farmer who requires advice or for anyone who thinks the rules on animal movements may be being broken. “Twelve officers worked over the


weekend and, in partnership with the Police, NFU and Lancashire DEFRA Officers, sought to advise to all live­ stock markets, abattoirs, farmers and hauliers about the ban and to ensure compliance. “Anyone who suspects animals are


being moved or transported should con­ tact the Lancashire County Council Animal Health hotline on 0845 3301221.” No local restrictions have been placed


on access to footpaths or the country­ side to the general public.


Murder probe as barmaid’s


body found A MURDER investi­ gation is under way in Australia after the death of a popular Whalley barmaid. The body of Anya


Campbell (24), pic­ tured, was discovered at a house in the northern Perth suburb of Carine, last week - four days after she was reported missing. Police were forced to


break into the Mathis Way home at 3 a.m. on July 31st, where they found Anya’s body in the bathroom. A 25-year-old man


has been charged with one count of assault


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