Farron asks emergency command to help to get animal feed to farm animals

12.00.00am GMT Mon 11th Jan 2010

MP Tim Farron has contacted Cumbria's emergency command - headed by Chief Constable Craig Mackey - to ask him to enable deliveries of animal feed to get through the snows to farms.

Tim has spoken to a number of farmers who are desperately concerned about the welfare of their livestock as the freezing weather continues and access to farms remains extremely limited.

Simone Knowles who owns a horse at a farm in Lambrigg, contacted Tim after she was forced to walk four miles everyday from Sedbergh Road for the past four weeks to take food and coal on a sledge for her horse. Mr Farron was also contacted by Mr and Mrs Dickinson, who have experienced difficulties getting feed to their farm in Kentmere.

Commenting Mr Farron said:

"The huge amount of snow that has fallen over the past few weeks in South Lakeland has had a terrible effect on not just farmers but also on their animals.

"I've spoken to farmers who are really struggling to feed their animals simply because they can't transport the food to where it needs to go.

"I've contacted Cumbria's emergency command to ask them to ensure that the animals aren't made to go without food and to provide farmers with the help they need to get through the cold weather."