I doubt the farmers who are currently having their livelyhood destroyed think it ironic. But I suppose perhaps, these things look different from SW1.

Vaccines are by and large dead, a vaccine cannot cause an epidemic. There is no irony if, during the culture of a vaccine the live culture has escaped and been released into the environment. That is not ironic that is gross incompetence and or negligence. I hope they have better precautions in place at Porton Down?

JR: “So far the EU has accepted what the UK has proposed - the EU has allowed vaccination..”

Well that is a comfort, knowing our masters will permitt this or that. In circumstances where we can do a thing because the EU kindly permits it, what is the point of Westminster?

Reply: I always think it important to remind people of the many areas of life where Brussels calls the shots. The Common Agricultural Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy are no advert for more of it. Of course it is not ironic that people’s cows have been killed and their livelihoods ruined by incompetence or worse at a lab. That is not what I said.

.. the indefensible.

Would you kindly advise if, outside of the immediate exclusion zone, farmers are being offered free F&M vacinations for their livestock? It is established fact that where the “herd” has a high degree of immunity, the infection will not be transferred as easily. If not why not, and what influence does the EU (through its codpiece DEFRA) have on this aspect of policy?

Once again the carcasses are to be incinerated, what about the air polution? How will this method of disposal of the carcasses impact the CO2 levels. Why can’t they just be buried? What impact has the EU through DEFRA had on this aspect of policy?

Why can’t these carcasses by sold off to the pet food industry? Processing at high temperature would destroy the infection.

JR: “The government also faces the more difficult issue this time of the origins of the outbreak.”

What actual freedom of action do Brown and Benn (Bill & Ben?) have and to what extent are their actions dictated by the European Union?

Who is the minister responsible for this establishment? From time to time Crown imunity ought to be waived, he should be pilloried, bankrupted and thrown in gaol. Pour encourager les autres.

However, I don’t see the need for Brown to have returned from holiday. Never heard of a video conference call ? Although, the press and the opposition would then have criticised him for not returning.