51AVÊÓÆµ

2001 UK foot-and-mouth outbreak - 25 years on: "The fear that their own farm might be next hung over them constantly"

The 25th anniversary of the foot-and-mouth outbreak in the UK brings back vivid memories for many farmers of a truly heartbreaking time for the countryside

Chris Brayford
clock • 5 min read
Sue English, Addington Fund director, said: "We listened to farmers describe the deafening silence on their farms after their livestock had been culled - the emptiness of a once-busy milking parlour, cattle shed, or lambing barn now stripped of life." (Picture of King Charles, then Prince of Wales, visiting Addington Fund's operations room in 2001 during the height of the foot-and-mouth outbreak).
Image:

Sue English, Addington Fund director, said: "We listened to farmers describe the deafening silence on their farms after their livestock had been culled - the emptiness of a once-busy milking parlour, cattle shed, or lambing barn now stripped of life." (Picture of King Charles, then Prince of Wales, visiting Addington Fund's operations room in 2001 during the height of the foot-and-mouth outbreak).

It has been nearly 25 years since the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak which brought tremendous sadness and heartbreak to the people who work and live in the countryside. The date of February 19 2001 will...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

Ìý

More on 51AVÊÓÆµLife

FARM HEALTH: Nip It In The Bud campaign helps diagnose former farmer with prostate cancer

FARM HEALTH: Nip It In The Bud campaign helps diagnose former farmer with prostate cancer

Making time for your health should be a priority, and a new campaign, Nip It In The Bud, hopes to showcase how early cancer detection is key. Mia Willemsen reports

clock 29 March 2026 • 6 min read
'For Farms' Sake' – Clarkson and Hogan rebrand Diddly Squat 51AVÊÓÆµShop

'For Farms' Sake' – Clarkson and Hogan rebrand Diddly Squat 51AVÊÓÆµShop

The shop re-opened its doors to unveil its bold new identity built around one belief - British farming deserves to be celebrated and is something to be proud of

clock 28 March 2026 • 2 min read
OPINION: "The nation really does love its farmers"

OPINION: "The nation really does love its farmers"

There are difficult days when it feels like the entire world is on the shoulders of the people who grow our food, but one magical moment on Britain's Got Talent shows people really care about British farmers

Chris Brayford
clock 27 March 2026 • 1 min read