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Last Updated: Tuesday, 21 October, 2003, 11:43 GMT 12:43 UK
Farmers demand payment
Farmers and contractors in the South West are calling for the government to pay up over the cost of cleaning up after the foot and mouth crisis.

They say they are still owed millions of pounds for work carried out during the foot and mouth scare over two years ago.

Campaign group, the Forum of Private Business (FPB), is meeting representatives from the agriculture ministry Defra on Tuesday in an attempt to get an agreement on payments.

They say that nationally the government owes more than £50m.

Nick Hopkins, spokesman for the FPB in Newquay, Cornwall, said: "Many businesses from the South West were involved in cleaning up farms.

"During this crisis contracts were agreed and if these contracts were delivered they should be paid.

"It has been dragging on for too long."




SEE ALSO:
Disappointment over burial pit plan
17 Oct 03  |  Devon
£5.6m bill for burial site
10 Nov 01  |  England


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