Published: Saturday, 25th October, 2008 5:00pm

Windsor farmers sue for millions

by Callum Brodie

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Farmers in Windsor who were affected by last year's devastating foot and mouth crisis are set to sue the Government for millions of pounds for loss of earnings.

The landmark case has been launched in the High Court against two Government laboratories in Surrey accused of causing the outbreak of the disease by 14 farmers whose livelihoods were put at risk.

Farms in Windsor were amongst the worst hit in the country with some suffering huge losses in livestock.

Dairy Farmer Nigel Berryman who owns farms in Datchet and Old Windsor lost all 140 of his cattle as culling began. He said: "It has affected our livelihood massively. We were declared to be free of disease but were still treated as if we had it.

"Young and old animals were slaughtered. It was terribly upsetting, after 25 years of breeding this cattle was wiped out in a day on the whim of some political individual. We haven't been able to bring any more diary cows in since. Less cows means less milk, which means less income."

Mr Berryman is one of 14 national lead cases being supported by the National Farmers Union at a court case, which, if successful, could open the floodgates for thousands of more claims costing the Government millions in compensation.

David Sheldrake of Beaumont College Farm, Old Windsor, is another of the group going to court. He explained: "The outbreak completely devastated my farm and put the whole of the British farming industry in jeopardy. My farm was one of the infected premises and we lost all of our beautiful cattle. All we're trying to do is to get back to where we were before the foot and mouth disease hit us."

Recent figures estimate the total cost of dealing with last year's outbreak to total around £100 million.