Farmers have 'little confidence' in Gov's ability to keep animal diseases at bay

With foot-and-mouth disease cases confirmed in Germany, Hungary and Slovakia over recent months, Defra has been urged to decisively strengthen the UK's border security

Chris Brayford
clock • 7 min read
"Laboratory facilities are underfunded and poorly maintained, reducing the UK's ability to rapidly test and diagnose exotic diseases. If these issues are not addressed immediately, the UK will find itself catastrophically unprepared for an African swine fever or foot-and-mouth outbreak."
Image:

"Laboratory facilities are underfunded and poorly maintained, reducing the UK's ability to rapidly test and diagnose exotic diseases. If these issues are not addressed immediately, the UK will find itself catastrophically unprepared for an African swine fever or foot-and-mouth outbreak."

Border security Red meat producers have urged the Government to do all in its power to improve border security controls in the UK following the detection of foot-and-mouth and African swine fever in...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Politics

Sir Tony Blair tells Gov to 'tear up' net zero plans

Sir Tony Blair tells Gov to 'tear up' net zero plans

Is it time to halt net zero plans once and for all?

Chris Brayford
clock 28 May 2026 • 4 min read
"Farm security is national security" - Wes Streeting promises to rebuild farmers' trust in Labour after IHT row

"Farm security is national security" - Wes Streeting promises to rebuild farmers' trust in Labour after IHT row

The future Labour Party leadership candidate said he wants to win back the people and places which Labour have lost since the General Election in 2024, none more so than farmers

Chris Brayford
clock 27 May 2026 • 2 min read
FG poll shows 67% of farmers not interested in any of PM's challengers

FG poll shows 67% of farmers not interested in any of PM's challengers

The social media survey highlighted doubts that Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting or Ed Miliband would offer a better deal for farmers

clock 23 May 2026 • 2 min read