Worries over foot and mouth impact on Exmoor hill farners

EXMOOR National Park Authority has expressed concern at the problems being faced by Exmoor’s livestock farmers affected by the ban on the movement of animals as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak in Surrey.
The chairman of the national park authority, John Dyke, said: “While everybody hopes that the impact of the current movement ban will be short-lived, the restrictions could not have come at a worse time for Exmoor’s farmers.
“Having no sales for four or five weeks will bring real hardship for hill farmers.
“A particular concern is that with these cold nights stopping the grass growing, before long there will be too much stock on the farms and livestock will begin to suffer.”
The authority is to help Exmoor Farmers Livestock Auctions Ltd by covering the costs of posting regular bulletins to local farmers until movement restrictions are lifted.
There will also be a special meeting of the authority’s farming and land management group in early October to discuss how the park authority can work more effectively with the farming community and support the industry, which is essential to the maintenance of the character of the national park.
Dr Nigel Stone, chief executive of Exmoor National Park Authority, said: “Livestock farming is essential to help conserving and enhancing Exmoor’s landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage and the long-term viability of livestock grazing is a priority in the Exmoor National Park Management Plan.
“The benefits to support and spin-off businesses extend beyond the national park boundaries and it is essential that these continue to provide jobs and livelihoods.”