Guy Thomas-Everard Maff said no decision had yet been taken on seeking an injunction to access the farm. The cull had been expected to begin on Tuesday. The farmer said a telephone network had been organised and he expected hundreds of people to turn up if the slaughtermen did arrive. Meanwhile an animal sanctuary owner in Scotland is also taking legal action to prevent the slaughter of 14 goats and three sheep. Mr Thomas-Everard has barricaded his farm Juanita Wilson, of the Mossburn Animal Centre in Hightae, has put 10,000 savings into the legal fight.
Protesters plan to form a human shield around the centre to prevent the slaughter.
At the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Wednesday legal teams for Ms Wilson will submit two letters confirming the animals at the centre are healthy. Her solicitor will stress that the neighbouring farm was infected more than six weeks ago yet the animals remain disease-free according to a local vet. If she loses she has vowed to take her case to the House of Lords and European Court of Human Rights. But a spokesman for the Scottish Executive said they would fight any legal challenge to stop the cull. The government has launched a poster campaign warning travellers at ports and airports that they face prosecution if caught bringing uncooked meat into the country.