The UK government is introducing new legislation that gives wide-ranging powers to slaughter animals against the wishes of the owner. The move comes after the government faced over 100 court cases following the outbreak of foot and mouth from farm owners that were opposed to the slaughter of their animals. The government claims that this led to the spread of the disease.

Shadow Secretary for Environment Peter Ainsworth said that there was no evidence that non-compliance by farmers made the situation worse and instead blamed the government’s mishandling of the crisis for the spread of the disease. Chief veterinary officer Jim Scudamore said on Wednesday (31 October) to the environment, food and rural affairs committee that the government did not have enough vets to handle the epidemic.