Clearly, at present, the situation is out of control and a strategy is needed other than mass culling. Along with colleagues in other organic organisations, we call upon the Government to begin selective slaughter and vaccination as the only solution likely to bring a swift end to this awful problem. HDRA's Ryton Organic Gardens near Coventry is still open daily to the public as there are no livestock on site and the gardens do not lie within an exclusion zone. HDRA's other gardens at Yalding in Kent and Audley End in Essex are also now open to the public.
Many people are concerned about the use of animal-based fertilisers in their gardens.
Other fertilisers such as pelleted poultry manure and those derived from seaweed are also considered safe. HDRA and Elm Farm Research Centre have stopped their advisory visits to farms and Soil Association inspections have been suspended. Undoubtedly, the intensive rearing of livestock, the globalisation of the food industry and the closure of countless small abattoirs, leading to animals being transported unacceptably long distances are all contributors to the spread of this disease. Surely, the lesson here is that a more locally based food production and distribution system is sensible for the sake of the environment, animal welfare and disease prevention.