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To: Square_Dealings who wrote (64775)	2/28/2001 9:28:41 AM
From: long-gone	Respond to of 116866

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 28 2001 Countryside closed in bid to save farms BY VALERIE ELLIOTT, COUNTRYSIDE EDITOR AND PHILIP WEBSTER, POLITICAL EDITOR HORSE RACING was suspended last night, a rugby international was called off and walkers were told that they face big fines if they go down forbidden footpaths, as the foot-and-mouth outbreak spread to nine counties. Troops were put on standby to help to contain the disease, which now affects more counties than the disastrous 1967 epidemic, when the disease was broadly confined to Shropshire, Cheshire and northeast Wales. Tony Blair and Gordon Brown approved £167 million in compensation for beef, sheep and dairy farmers — on top of the existing sums for slaughtering diseased animals — as the Government acted to meet rising concern for the future of farming. Despite the offer of compensation, farmers still fear going out of business. Robert Ormisher, from Withnell, Lancashire, whose neighbour’s stock is infected, said: “At some point the government inspectors will come calling. We’ve been here just short of 40 years but now it all comes down to the next 24 or 36 hours.” Moves to avert food shortages by allowing farmers to take their animals directly to licensed slaughterhouses were agreed by ministers. But the general ban on animal movements imposed last Friday will be extended for at least a further two weeks. A limited scheme to be announced on Friday will enable healthy animals waiting for slaughter to be taken to central collection points or direct to the abattoir. The operation will be strictly controlled to avoid any further risks. The moves were agreed at a Cabinet committee meeting chaired by Mr Blair, which was given a grim warning by the Government’s Chief Veterinary Officer that the outbreak is likely to get much worse because there were more animals already incubating the disease. There will be emergency powers to fine people up to £5,000 if they walk on footpaths or bridleways that have been closed. Mr Blair offered sympathy last night to all those whose livestock had been infected. He spoke of the feeling of dread and anxiety throughout farming. After the Cabinet committee meeting Mr Blair, Gordon Brown and Nick Brown, the Agriculture Minister, met to agree the compensation package. The Government is hoping to distribute £167 million of so-called “agro-monetary” money, available at the discretion of Brussels. The funds are available to compensate farmers for the high value of the pound against the euro. But four fifths of the sum has to come from the UK Exchequer. There will also be accelerated payments from an announced £40 million plan to help pig farmers leaving the industry. Jim Scudamore, the Chief Veterinary Officer, told the meeting that there was no doubt that the Northumberland farm was the oldest case of the disease and could be the source. At present there were animals in the system likely to be incubating the disease. Downing Street said the slaughter scheme was a way of ensuring that food supplies were maintained, although there were no present shortage risks. Mr Scudamore said there were no veterinary grounds for cancelling sporting events, provided people took sensible precautions, although ministers welcomed the responsibility of racing in announcing a seven-day ban. Two farmers, in Angelsey and in Wiltshire, are to be investigated after moving animals. That could lead to a £5,000 fine plus £1,000 for every animal moved. The reaction in continental Europe was more striking. France, Germany and The Netherlands had slaughtered 38,000 farm animals by last night, six times more than the number in Britain so far. etherzone.com

To: Square_Dealings who wrote (64775)	2/28/2001 9:33:33 AM
From: The Barracuda™	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 116866

greenspan says there is no inflation in prepared remarks according to cnbc

To: Square_Dealings who wrote (64775)	2/28/2001 9:36:06 AM
From: PAUL ROBERTSON	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 116866

wonder who offered physical into the marketplace, perhaps the Swiss. It is quite interesting how the rates remain inverted. It would seem that the gold was carefully placed and not just slapped onto the market as it was after the WA. Good to see the market get nice and tight. If rates start to rise a second and third time from falling off as they did yesterday, imo, the bottom on bullion is in, unless of course it is attacked by the IMF, treasury dept etc...