N0 - We don't want Somerset to be a Dumping Ground (17.09.07)

Somerset Conservatives are calling on Gordon Brown to stop sending diseased foot and mouth carcases to the county for incineration.

Ken Maddock, Leader of the Conservative Group, said:

“It is absolutely ludicrous to bring this virus into a major farming area. It is just typical of this government to ignore rural communities. To transport diseased animals 90 miles through four counties is totally irresponsible. Having a car following an open topped lorry will not prevent an accident occurring, opening up a nightmare scenario not only for the farming community but also for wildlife generally. The government clearly has not learnt the lesson from 2001 when outbreaks were associated with the movement of vehicles carrying carcases.

I understand that the owners of a nearby incinerator turned down the task; surely this is an instance where DEFRA should have insisted the nearest one was utilised and not shopped around the south of England to find someone to do so?”

I am very concerned with Somerset being used as a dumping ground and have raised this with the Lib Dems at County Hall who do not appear to be concerned.

Anthony Trollope-Bellew, Shadow Environment Portfolio Holder, added: “Mobile incinerators are the obvious answer and we will be lobbying the government to invest the necessary resources into addressing this. But as usual, the countryside is not on the Labour government’s agenda. I hope people will remember this when the next election comes.”