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Farmers 'must meet disease costs' Farmers 'must meet disease costs'
(10 minutes later)
The farming industry in Wales may have to meet the cost of future outbreaks of animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth, without any government compensation.The farming industry in Wales may have to meet the cost of future outbreaks of animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth, without any government compensation.
Farming unions leaders have already attended government meetings to discuss the idea in principle but say the industry cannot afford the costs. Farming union leaders have already attended government meetings to discuss the idea in principle but say the industry cannot afford the costs.
More than 360,000 animals were slaughtered in the 2001 foot-and-mouth epidemic in Wales, at a cost £3bn.More than 360,000 animals were slaughtered in the 2001 foot-and-mouth epidemic in Wales, at a cost £3bn.
The assembly government said it was looking at the proposed changes.The assembly government said it was looking at the proposed changes.
Farming leaders said they were worried about the implications.Farming leaders said they were worried about the implications.
"We're very, very concerned because the process is snowballing somewhat," said Gareth Vaughan, president of the Farmers Union of Wales (FUW)."We're very, very concerned because the process is snowballing somewhat," said Gareth Vaughan, president of the Farmers Union of Wales (FUW).
Exotic diseaseExotic disease
"Initially we were taking about the cost of dealing with exotic disease only. "Initially we were talking about the cost of dealing with exotic disease only.
"But by today Defra are taking about the cost of dealing with animal health issues in total - and that the industry should pay for the lot." "But by today Defra are talking about the cost of dealing with animal health issues in total - and that the industry should pay for the lot."
Some politicians are adamant the taxpayer should not have to pay for future bills.Some politicians are adamant the taxpayer should not have to pay for future bills.
Labour MP for Newport West Paul Flynn said the government should not be "picking up the bill for everything that goes wrong".Labour MP for Newport West Paul Flynn said the government should not be "picking up the bill for everything that goes wrong".
"Many people suffered, the farmers had quite generous compensation in many cases but many other people in the leisure industry lost money and weren't compensated."Many people suffered, the farmers had quite generous compensation in many cases but many other people in the leisure industry lost money and weren't compensated.
"I don't believe it's possible to have a policy where you say you give a free insurance policy to one industry and not to all the others," Mr Flynn added."I don't believe it's possible to have a policy where you say you give a free insurance policy to one industry and not to all the others," Mr Flynn added.
"Sadly the government couldn't give an insurance policy to those who lost money in the Farepak scandal.""Sadly the government couldn't give an insurance policy to those who lost money in the Farepak scandal."