The devastating news received late evening last Friday of an outbreak of the dreaded foot and mouth disease in cattle is obviously yet another hammer blow for a beleaguered agricultural industry. Huge areas of the country are still reeling under the effects of flooding with many millions worth of crops lost and other livestock farmers - not least in many parts of Wales - are only now beginning to fully get over the last bout of FMd. The countryside will need all the support it can get from the Government - alternatives, like vaccination, to the terrible pyres of smoke which stained the countryside last time must be actively explored, but in the end the powers that be will have to follow the best scientific advice. Somewhat to their credit, the Government (and Defra) appear to have learned harsh lessons from the shambolic and inept response to the devastating 2001 crisis.

HARD HIT

A major priority is to keep rural communities fully informed as this is a time of high anxiety - not just among farmers but also for those involved in rural tourism - who were hard hit by an entirely unjustified wave of fear last time. This latest crisis could hardly have come at a worse time for country areas already reeling from the effects of floods on crops and livestock and when cereal harvesting operations are in full swing. Erring on the side of caution many bed and breakfast businesses will receive cancellations that will not be filled again despite it being the peak season in the school holidays. The supposition that the FMd virus may this time have originated from one of the Governments own research stations - the Institute of Animal Health -leaves cattle and sheep breeders throughout the country in a state of anger and amazement to think that a site concerned with animal health may have allowed this terrible virus to get into our farming stock.

ALARM BELLS

Alarmingly, only last year the House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology said that cuts in the Institute's funding from Defra were having a damaging effect on its efficiency and professionalism. The committee report stated that Perbright was suffering a 'major problem' with 'the loss of key staff and key skills.' As a grave warning it said a 'significant cut in real terms' in the amount of funding for work on exotic viruses, such as foot-and-mouth, 'has meant that key areas of work have to be undertaken by PhD students at the very beginning of their research training - and not by experienced technical staff.'  Nevertheless, as it is today, the industry must and will do everything it possibly can to ensure that the disease is contained and does not spread. It is still possible that other animals have been infected and it has gone further than the local area so thorough vigilance must be a priority and biosecurity - even in this area - remains of paramount importance.

DIFFICULTIES

If movement restrictions are prolonged the biggest difficulties for farmers will come if marts, together with sheep and ram sales, remain on hold and the movement of large numbers of lambs from hill farms, usually sold on for finishing on lowland farms, is halted. Even if the outbreak is contained, the farming industry will inevitably suffer a heavy financial burden, not the least of which will be the loss of steadily recovering export markets for beef and lamb. One farmer I spoke to believes natural justice should prevail: He said: "If farmers cause pollution, the environmental agencies go out of their way to ensure that we pay huge penalties and compensation. "If this outbreak of FMd is found to have come from Ministry labs, then I fail to see how those responsible should be treated any differently. They should be forced to pay not only compensation for the animals culled, but also for the losses incurred nationwide owing to a ruined marketplace. Pressure must be brought to bear on those responsible." ACCOUNTABILITY

The NFU has said that, for the future, once what exactly has happened becomes fully known they will have to look at issues of accountability and compensation - but that is for the future: right now all efforts are going into getting on top of this potentially devastating disease. The enforced cancellation of one West Wales annual agricultural shows last weekend is said to have cost the organisers £30,000 but, as I write, we are given to understand that next week's three-day Pembrokeshire County Show will be going ahead as planned but without cloven hooved animals being present. In its now very familiar surroundings at Withybush, Haverfordwest, this event is a huge social event not only for the locals but summer visitors as well and has its own wide range of special attractions. Surely this is better than no show at all but whether it will attract farmers and their families for each day without the sight of top quality pedigree animals remains to be seen. LITTLE OPTION

Our County Show has had to be cancelled altogether on previous occasions but, at this stage, with marquees already erected and catalogues printed and the site not being on agricultural land as such, putting a stop to everything now was hardly an option. The show has progressed from strength to strength at Withybush and many new buildings, including a pavilion, exhibition halls and spacious livestock accommodation have been constructed on the fully owned site. With these continually improving facilities the Pembrokeshire County Show now stands out as the second largest agricultural Show in Wales -second only to the Royal Welsh - attracting in excess of 104,000 visitors last year. Normally, one the most impressive outdoor rural events in Wales three action packed days of fun and entertainment captivate country folk and city residents alike - a key success factor in a county that welcomes tens of thousands of tourists annually. Livestock entries include 1,200 horses and ponies and the major participants on the show jumping circuit will still be coming - but without 500 beef and dairy cattle, 700 odd sheep, 50 pigs and around 120 milking and angora goats. STILL ATTRACTIVE

Main attractions booked for this years show are the 'The Devils Horseman' and 'Titan, the Robot' who will doubtless amaze the crowds. In addition, there are John Parker and his stage coach-drawn by the magnificent team of greys, together with a vast assortment of competitions, demonstrations and exhibitions such as the pole climbers, the Welsh axe team, YFC demonstrations, poultry, craft, horticulture, photography, cage birds, agility dog show, vintage tractors (including steam engines), trotting races and over 620 trade stands, but without the working sheepdog trials. The food hall provides the stage for a wide range of national and local produce and don't forget to venture through the Prendergast arena and the craft/shopping malls with an extensive array of products and services will be available, to suit everybody.

Quote

The TV weatherman who said that "We've had a month's sunshine in just two hours!"