Farming Today - Farming Today This Week

Charlotte Smith asks who should pay to prevent another foot and mouth outbreak. Three billion pounds was spent eradicating foot and mouth disease in 2001. UK livestock farmers also face the threat of other diseases such as bluetongue, avian flu and swine fever. Now the government wants farmers in England to pay half of the 44 million-pound bill for guarding against an outbreak. But farmers are outraged, saying the plans miss out many who could pose the highest risk. They argue the government should change a few of its own practices before they pay up.