Severe Weather- RSPCA Launches Farm Animal Welfare Hotline

HORSHAM, England, January 9 - The RSPCA and NFU (National Farmers Union) are joining forces
to help farmers and their animals caught in the snow, ice and sub-zero
temperatures that have brought parts of the country to its knees.

The RSPCA announced today that it is launching a new Farm
Animal Welfare Hotline. All calls will be handled by the Society's National
Control Centre and if necessary passed onto frontline RSPCA staff to assess
what help is needed.

"The extreme cold and bad weather conditions could have a
massive impact on farm animals. We are committed to doing everything we can
to assist them, and hope this hotline will be a real help for farmers who
find themselves in difficulties," said Tim Wass, chief officer of the RSPCA
inspectorate.

"The RSPCA is already working closely with the NFU to offer
assistance, if required, if livestock welfare is at high risk," he added.

NFU livestock board chairman Alistair Mackintosh said: "While
farmers are very resilient and are used to coping with extreme weather
conditions the current bad weather has left some facing difficult situations.
The welfare of their livestock is of paramount importance to farmers and,
while they are working hard to carry on as normal, anything that gives them
an additional helping hand in these extreme conditions is welcome."

Farmers and livestock owners with severe animal welfare problems can
now call the RSPCA Farm Animal Welfare Hotline on +44(0)300-1238424.

Situations where animals are stranded and cannot be reached to
feed them, power cuts to intensive units, difficulties getting feed delivered
all threaten animal welfare and the situation can become critical. The aim is
to try to solve the issue before the animals suffer.

The RSPCA has frontline staff trained in both farm animal
welfare and biosecurity who can visit and offer practical help.

Notes to editors:

    - The RSPCA Farm Animal Welfare Hotline is a telephone
      helpline for farmers and livestock owners, not the general public.

    - Under the law an animal keeper has a duty of care to his
      animals and is required to take reasonable steps to protect their
      welfare and prevent suffering.

    - Farmers are expected to take reasonable steps to address
      animal welfare contingency planning as part of their farm business
      planning where it is known or could be anticipated that livestock
      might be at risk during severe weather.

    - As a general principle, animals must not be left in
      circumstances where they are likely to suffer. If it is possible to
      take action, even if that action is killing by a veterinary surgeon or
      other legally competent person, then action should be taken.

    - In an emergency Animal Health and others will do what they
      can to provide advice, and to facilitate means to prevent or alleviate
      the suffering of animals. However the legal responsibility is with the
      animal's owner/keeper.

Website: www.rspca.org.uk

RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS Tel +44(0)870-010-1181 Fax +44(0)870-753-0048; Press office direct lines: +44(0)870-7540-244/288 Fax: +44(0)870-7530-099, Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel +44(0)8448-222888 and ask for pager number 828825, E-mail: press at rspca.org.uk