So the government demands the slaughter of infected and healthy animals alike. Not only animals are dying. Their herds and livelihoods destroyed, British farmers are increasingly committing suicide in scenes reminiscent of American stockbrokers jumping from Wall Street windows during the 1929 Crash. But the English farmers ending their lives are motivated less by economics than by the emotional distress of destroying young life. Sheep are raised to be slaughtered for food, of course, but only in maturity.
Many farmers give their lambs names at birth, just as pet owners do.
This is the season for the ewes to give birth. Mersea's residents are utterly isolated for more than two hours as the River Strood floods the solitary road to the mainland. But the tides are inadequate to isolate the island's flocks and herds from contagion and death. Unlike the Good Shepherd of the gospel, the shepherds of England cannot save their sheep. E.W. Scripps Publications , All Rights Reserved.