crufts dog show

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Hi Carrie, had been looking for you to post. That is good news, at least it is slowing down. I did see on the news about the calf
Phoenix who was being spared her life. Thank goodness for the good things. It is almost inconceivable that so many farms have been affected and so many animals have been slaughtered. Is the Government helping out the farmers who have lost everything? I would hope so. What a tremendous task they have to rebuild their lives and their farms.
Hopefully this dreaded disease will not come back in the fall. Our good wishes and prayers are with all of you.

[Sudilar]

Finally, a little bit of good news!

[Gio]

Thanks as usual Carrie for your update. I am so relieved that things are slowly improving.

[Sudilar]

Saw a picture of Phoenix in today's newspaper. She's a beautiful white calf! I hope she's a sign that things will be better!

[RachelJ]

Yes, Phoenix' picture was in our paper as well. Maybe she can be a symbol of hope for better days to come.

[carrie]

Thank you all again for your interest and support. As always I am passing on all messages. Although I am not in direct contact with the people who own Phoenix I am told that they are amazed that people in the US have heard about her and even seen her picture.

Cumbria is still the main area of concern - all thirteen of todays new cases were in Cumbria.

The New Forest will allow cattle back in soon, maybe by Monday. This is incredible news for farmers in that area who rely on the forest for their animals. For the past seven weeks these cattle have been in holding yards. Food has run out and they are standing in a foot and a half of muck, some even calfing in these conditions. Many have died and many more have been put down to allieviate their suffering. Farmers here were threatening to break the law and let the cattle out to the forest.

There have been several reports of people having symptoms of Foot and Mouth - all have now been tested and all (six in all, I think) have proved negative.

70% of farmers affected by this outbreak say they will not return to farming. Many are tenant farmers with no home of their own, no business of their own and little or no savings or skills for other ways of life. Those that own their own farms will have to sell to a market that is rather against taking up farming at the moment(can't think why!!!!!) and a large chunk of British farmland is likely to be lost forever.

The news is good - we are getting somewhere - but in the months to come the cost to farming, animal welfare, bloodlines and the basic heart of the countryside will have to be counted, let alone the toll on families and individuals who have lived through the worst times farming has ever seen.

[This message has been edited by carrie (edited April 27, 2001).]

[Corinna]

Hey carrie how are things going in the fight to save animals from hoof and mouth? Unless you've started reports on another place I've missed. We get more about our power crisis and not doing in Mcvay and not any thing about your side of the pond.
Corinna

[RachelJ]

I just heard on the news today that for the first time there were no new cases reported. Sorry I don't have more specifics as I just heard it in passing.

[sammi]

We miss you Carrie! Please post and tell us whats going on. Hope you are okay.

[Karen]

Carrie emailed me a week or so ago to say they were going to change their computer system, so she may be still getting the new system up and running! Just thought I'd let you all know that!

[KYS]

Thanks Karen,
I was wondering if she was alright.
Glad to know it is only computer
problems.
(I have been missing her posts too)

[Corinna]

Thanks Karen I was begainning to worry also it's so horrible to hear but not hearing is worse. And thanks for the ok on the chins I sure will miss them , I don't watch tv so they have been my entertainment for a couple of years.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

I do miss Carries posts, will be glad when she gets back on line.

[carrie]

Thank you all - I am back online (hopefully!) at last after some pretty major computer hassles.

Our current number of cases is 1624 with well over three million animals slaughtered. Very sad statistics but things seem to be improving.

Sadly an outbreak was reported in North Yorkshire today - sixteen farms are affected in a previously "safe" area. This is very worrying and devastating for farmers in the area just when they thought they had weathered the worst.

[Daisy's Mom]

Carrie we missed you! Welcome back! I am glad things seem to be improving.