Bluetongue talks with farm minister Rooker

3:27pm Friday 16th May 2008

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HILL farmers worried about the impact of bluetongue disease this year had high-level talks with farming minister Geoff Rooker.

Mr Rooker visited on Saturday to meet a group of concerned at a Coniston farm who feel the issue of vaccinating animals in the area is not being taken seriously enough by DEFRA.

The programme is set to begin in the south east of England, and finish in the north-west, which is regarded as the lowest priority.

But although many accept the order, they do not feel enough urgency is being placed on getting the vaccination to the area.

The meeting, which also allowed hill farmers to discuss concerns over Single Farm Payment and the Hill Farm Allowance, was organised by Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron, who said: "It was a really good meeting.

"The crucial thing we said was that there needs to be no time at all between the front of the queue and the back of the queue."