James Chubb

Shadow cast across the summer sky

So, it would seem the disease that strikes fear into British farmers’ hearts like no other is back in the UK.

A disease which, unlike tuberculosis or avian flu, brings sheep, pig and cattle farmers together in the solidarity of panic.

Foot and mouth disease has been reported in the Home Counties and the ramifications are already being felt throughout our district. Animal movements have been restricted from anywhere but within a farmer’s own land, and this obviously means all trade has been stopped.

It resonated at my sister’s wedding this weekend too, as the family’s North Devon farming contingent could not attend at such an early stage of the crisis.

Speculation about unscrupulous farming practices bringing it back to the UK were quashed today with the revelation that it’s likely to be a governmental laboratory causing the first case to be reported. This supports the fact that, years after the last outbreak was eventually brought to a close, farmers are still operating bio-control procedures on their farms and live in fear of this particular plague.

As with all big stories, especially those occurring in August, the papers and radio were full of journalistic conjecture and ministerial reassurance. Lessons, we are assured, were learnt from the 2001 outbreak and these will be borne in mind as this 2007 situation is dealt with.

I only hope that is the case. When things go wrong, as they so fundamentally did six years ago, it is far too easy for central Government to say, “lessons have been learnt” and hope this will encourage people to forget recent shortcomings. This outbreak has arrived so hot on the heels of the last that the wounds are still open, and very sore. Speed is the essential device for keeping a disease in check and unsavoury decisions have to be made decisively to minimise further spread.

There are few people living in rural communities who do not know someone who was affected by the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001. We must hope that this situation doesn’t emulate that one. It’s pretty safe to say that everyone is prepared to tolerate a few weeks of inconvenience to avoid years of ruination.
So far there are no restrictions on accessing the countryside - at least there weren’t as I was writing this sentence. But, nevertheless, we should all use a bit of common sense at this time. Firstly, stick to the footpaths - don’t follow your ‘usual’ route if it takes you off the legal trail. Also, keep pets on a very short lead and under close control at all times. Finally, observe the countryside code and, if there is a notice asking you not to enter a field, take note of it and cut your walk short.

I really hope this situation will be a flash in the pan and, by the time I sit down to write my column next week, all will be in hand. As countryside visitors and enthusiasts, remember: we have our part to play too.

Out and about

The last two weeks have been the first indication that we’re actually in a season known historically as ‘summer’. Since April’s beautiful heatwave we have had more rain than I care to remember and so a bit of sun comes as a real pleasure. Hay is being cut in the fields and loads of people’s eyes have gone all rheumy with pollen intolerance. My advice: pile on the factor 50, dose up with antihistamines if needs be, and get yourself down to the beach.

The first event of the East Devon Coastal Festival was a great success with about 100 people finding me on Sidmouth beach and taking part in a giant rockpool ramble. There were a notable number of huge velvet swimmer crabs, and lots of compass jellyfish too, but the highlight of the day for me was a beautiful Dover sole, pictured below. It was a good day for flatfish, as someone had already found a dab, but this was a real treat and the first sole I’ve ever seen caught in a hand net!

The weirdest thing about flatfish is, unlike skates and rays, these bony fish are flattened sideways along the body and lie on their right or left-hand side depending upon species. They hatch as fry with eyes on either side of the head, swimming upright like normal fish, albeit very thin. Then a few weeks into development the eye migrates over the top of the head and sits alongside the other, and the fish settles on the bottom of the sea bed and takes up a life of camouflage.

It was great to see so many people on the coast, swimming, building sand castles and enjoying the sea like any other year. Even with the Napoli looming in the background.

The sheer diversity of life that was found in the rockpools around Sidmouth is a good indication that the water quality is good. So beach visitors should just alert for patches of oil on the pebbles.
 
With time and weather, the stones will be naturally cleansed and parental vigilance can focus on the myriad of other things that need a parent’s attention; like great white sharks in Cornwall. Now, whatever happened to that headline grabber?