CONTROVERSIAL Government legislation aimed at controlling any future outbreaks of foot-and-mouth is premature, draconian and unwanted, claims Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff.

The Tory MP made the comments during a Commons debate on the proposed Animals Health Bill, which is intended to speed up the process of containing outbreaks of the disease.

Mr Luff claimed the Bill had made assumptions about the disease before inquiries into its outbreak had been completed, and questioned the "foresight" of the Bill.

"This is a remarkable Bill because it's the first example of perfect foresight," he said.

"It demonstrates foresight because it comes before the Government's inquiries have produced what they believe to be necessary to control foot-and-mouth disease and is perfect because not one amendment was deemed necessary during the passage of the Bill.

"But the foresight isn't true and doesn't contain anything about important issues such as improving liaison with Environmental Health and the Department of Health about the correct way of disposing of animals.

"The Bill is premature, draconian and unwanted."

Mr Luff added Tibberton farmers Andrew and Nicola Morris had produced "compelling evidence" many of the animals slaughtered had no symptoms of foot-and-mouth.

In last Thursday's Evening News, Mrs Morris warned the Bill would mean animal owners would lose the ability to object to the destruction of animals in the name of disease control - even when they had been vaccinated against diseases.

"Andrew and Nicola Morris have produced compelling evidence that 85 per cent of the animals slaughtered in the epidemic had no symptoms of foot-and-mouth," added Mr Luff.

In Thursday's article, Worcester MP Mike Foster had stated there would still be avenues of appeal against the destruction of animals.

But the Labour MP replied to Mr Luff's comments by saying the Bill would mean future outbreaks could be contained more quickly, resulting in less stress for breeders, fewer animals being culled, and less burden on taxpayers.

"We do not want to see foot-and-mouth spread like it did this year," he said.