The first cattle auction since the foot and mouth crisis hit Britain took place in Orkney on Monday (20 August) albeit with extremely strict measures in place to prevent infections. Sale of cattle is still only allowed in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, but all disease-free areas will be opened up for markets on 1 September.

Meanwhile farmers still angry over alleged government incompetence in the handling of the foot and mouth crisis staged a demonstration in London. Dressed in overalls similar to those used by government agents during the epidemic, they called for a full public inquiry, handing over a 30,000-name petition to the government.

Share this story: