Defra staff ‘broke into farm’s barn to kill healthy cow’
MP accuses government officials of ‘senseless slaughter’ for seizing animal at centre of TB row
FARMERS have accused Defra of breaking into their barn to kill a healthy cow over fears that it had tuberculosis.
Hilary and Trevor Ogden, who farm in Oakridge Lynch, Glos, said the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), a Government agency which works on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, removed Cleo the cow while they were out.
Cleo and another cow, Jasmine, returned inconclusive results when the whole herd was tested for TB in July. But the couple say Rob Darvill, their vet, retested the animals in September and gave them the all-clear.
Despite this they claim Defra insisted that Cleo be destroyed. On returning home last Thursday, they found a farm gate off its hinges, a warrant stuck to the front door – and the cow removed.
Mrs Ogden, 74, said: “We said we would send Jasmine, but not Cleo and asked for a blood test. But Defra were insistent that Cleo also be destroyed. It’s like living in a police state, we’ve got no say in any of this.” Cleo’s calves are being bottle-fed by the Ogdens.
Mrs Ogden added: “Cleo must have been very distressed and frightened.”
David Drew, shadow minister for Defra and MP for Stroud, described it as a “senseless slaughter” and accused agents of waiting for the Ogdens to go out before breaking into the farm. He wrote to the APHA to raise concerns. Mr Drew said: “The farmers were simply asking for the cow to be tested again before being slaughtered.
“Instead of engaging in reasonable discussion ... APHA agents waited for the Ogdens to go out before breaking in and removing the cow by force. The entire process – senseless slaughter at all cost – is a shocking indictment of disregard for both animals and people that must be challenged.”
Defra said that where TB is strongly suspected following an inconclusive test, an animal must be removed to eliminate the possibility of spreading the disease. This happens very rarely and owners are paid compensation.
A Defra spokesman said: “Bovine TB causes devastation and distress for farmers and rural communities and that is why we have robust procedures in place to reduce the risk of the disease spreading. England has the highest incidence of bovine TB in Europe and we are taking strong action to deliver our 25-year strategy to beat the disease and protect the livelihoods of our dairy and beef farmers.”