Rally Speech made by Brian Crawford
Today, June 29th, is the anniversary of the day that I first planted my roots on Exmoor, 40 years on. I shall defend those roots against interference with my livelihood and lifestyle.
My scattered, specialist practice deals only with horses and is intensive in the Barnstaple, South Molton and Exford areas, but extends northwards to Quantocks East across the M5 and south of the fringes of Dartmoor. It deals approximately 30% with ailments and injuries to hunters, 30% with Point-to-Point and National Hunt horses (which evolve from hunters), 30% stud work dealing with brood mares to produce the next generation of hunters and point-to-pointers, and 10% with Pony Club mounts, Riding Club and pleasure horses.
If the proposed legislation were to suceed, my practice would shrivel and die. But my personal prosperity is not an issue here today, but rather the dangers of disruption or destruction of the social and economic fabric of West Somerset and North Devon. Are we going to allow it to be turned into a Wilderness Theme Park with a straw-chewing yokel planted every 100 yards?
Beef cattle and sheep farming cannot survive in its present downward spiral into the millennium unless government policies change. Make no mistake, the policies of the present government regarding farming, country pursuits and rural affairs in general are endangering our livelihoods, our lifestyle, our properties and our sports. let's say - Stop! Listen to us! Animal welfare is a huge growth indutry. There are many, many more far more important and signifiant welfare issues that the government hasn't got the courage to confront.
There is a serious proposal, believe it or not, to introduce Siberian Wolves to the Scottish Highlands. This is to restore the balance of nature and has apparently been well received by conservation groups and animal welfare activists, and is being studied by the Government. I'm sure it would work well on Exmoor, if more traditional methods of controlling the growth of our red deer herd are outlawed. It would also contribute to the alleged over-production of beef and lamb and allow us to open wide, the door to increased imports of foreign meat.
I would like the organisers of this gathering to include in their message to our rulers that the legislation outlined in Mr. Foster's bill will not only antagonise the rural population of Exmoor, but will lead to a civil unrest, most certainly to civil disobedience and that Government will legislate at its peril!
Brian Crawford, BVM&S., MRCVS., Veterinary Surgeon, nominated as "Vet of the Year 1999".