Defra invite a 'conversation'.

Our cash strapped Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs cordially invite all interested parties to 'engage' with them, on how they can screw cattle farmers even more save money from their TB budget.

Some of the ideas being bandied about are on this link.

It would be churlish to point out that if they'd kept a handle on infected wildlife two decades ago, they wouldn't be in this position, but we'll do it anyway as the patronising language phrasing this proposed cash grab is - irritating in the extreme. A 'conversation' implies a two way dialogue, but bitter past experience has proved this not to be case with Government. And successive 'consultations' have only served to show that Defra will do what they like, having 'consulted', regardless of replies.

We note that these reductions  proposed changes seem only to apply to farmers under restriction and their reactor cattle. So vets are not being asked to jab one, jab one free? Rhetorical question, as the EU's latest broadside has doubled testing requirements for many - hence doubled the cost to Defra.

Your views can be emailed to bTBengage@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Or you can write to: AHWBE (Bovine TB Call for Views), Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR.

The AHWBE is also planning four open events in Exeter (September 18), Pulborough in West Sussex (September 25), Telford (October 2) and York (October 11).