Farron welcomes restriction removal

3.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 12th Oct 2007

Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Committee on Hill Farming has today welcomed the announcement from DEFRA the intention that the foot and mouth protection zone be lifted in Surrey, but also issued a word of caution.

After the announcement, Mr Farron said:

"I hope the Government is certain beyond any doubt that the disease is fully under control, what we do not want to see is the disease emerging elsewhere after the restrictions are lifted.

"The Government should also be under no illusions that the removal of restrictions would mean that the industry is back to normal. I was talking to a farmer in my patch only this morning who is receiving something on the order of 40% less money for his animals. I hope DEFRA puts its money where its mouth is and stumps up the cash to provide price support for farmers."