JIM Scudamore, the Government's chief veterinary officer, has launched two booklets aimed at raising awareness of the risk of introducing or spreading livestock diseases when restocking.

Speaking at the launch of "Golden Rules for a Healthy Herd" for cattle farmers and "Golden Rules for a Healthy Flock" for sheep farmers, Mr. Scudamore said:

"In relation to sheep, restocking provides an excellent opportunity to improve the scrapie status of the flock. Many rams have already been genotyped for their ability to pass on resistance to scrapie. Where possible flock owners should take action to purchase resistant rams. We would urge sheep farmers to consider the reduction and eventual elimination of scrapie as part of their restocking strategy."

"WOEFULLY inadequate" is how the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) describes the financial aid package for F&M proposed by rural recovery boss Lord Haskins. Dorothy Fairburn, Yorkshire regional director of the CLA, believes the report failed to grasp the gravity of the situation facing farmers and rural businesses.

"Postponing tax and rate demands until April next year only defers a problem," said Miss Fairburn. "Recommending that the banks should remain sympathetic to rural businesses is not the answer. The family home is often used as security for business borrowings, therefore, for many, the home is at risk as well as the business."

FORMER Ryedale-area farm writer Edward Hart has won a national award from the Guild of Agricultural Journalists. Mr Hart, now based in Ludlow, was judged winner in the guild's environmental/rural affairs category.

His entry was about the hefting of sheep on upland farms and appeared in Country Illustrated. "Thoroughly researched and beautifully written ... the article was clear but wonderfully evocative," commended the judge.

THE recent trend towards heavy, power-hungry, non-powered cultivator drills appears to be diminishing after a series of wet sowing seasons according to Simon Brown of drill specialist firm Amazone Ltd.

He says the performance of these machines "has resulted in damage to soil structure with the drilling left capped and over-consolidated. This has led to inadequate seedbed conditions, uneven germination or, ultimately, unable to drill at all. Despite the ability of the bigger machines to work at a faster rate, the steadier working of the combination drill will cover a larger acreage."

THE British Horse Society has just published a new booklet: BHS Guide to Careers with Horses. is available from the BHS Bookshop price £3.50 plus 50p postage and packing, Order line (08701) 201918 or (01926) 707762 or order online from www.britishhorse.com.

Updated: 09:20 Thursday, November 01, 2001