John Craven recalls 2001 foot and mouth outbreak trauma

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 14:32 · Archive

BBC presenter John Craven has described the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak as one of his most memorable moments, recalling funeral pyres and devastated farming families.

BBC Countryfile presenter John Craven has described the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak as one of his most memorable moments, recalling it for 'all the wrong reasons'. Writing in Countryfile Magazine on the 25th anniversary of the farming disaster, Craven warned the outbreak could happen again.

The eight-month epidemic killed over six million farm animals, threatened the livelihoods of many farming families and cost nearly £14 billion in today's money. It virtually closed down rural Britain, including parts of Oxfordshire. Cases grew to 2,000 during the outbreak.

Craven vividly recalled the 'blazing funeral pyres' during the epidemic, with 'flocks and herds destroyed in mere hours after taking generations to build'. He described meeting a Warwickshire farmer at his gate with an 'No Entry' sign, who had tears rolling down his cheeks as he described how a ministry team had dispatched his entire herd of cattle as they lay in their stalls. Craven said he heard many similar stories as cases grew throughout the months that followed.

Craven questioned whether lessons have been learnt a quarter of a century later to prevent another devastating outbreak.

How it is being reported

• Countryfile legend John Craven is haunted by funeral pyresCountryfile legend John Craven has described the foot and mouth outbreak which hit the UK in 2001 as one of his most memorable momentsOxford Mail · 13 Oct, 13:55
• Countryfile legend John Craven is haunted by funeral pyresCountryfile legend John Craven has described the foot and mouth outbreak which hit the UK in 2001 as one of his most memorable momentsOxfordshire Guardian · 13 Oct, 13:55

In this story: John Craven · BBC · Countryfile · Oxfordshire · Warwickshire · Britain

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