GOVERNMENT proposals to make farmers share the cost of and responsibility for animal disease control will be discussed at two meetings organised by the North-East NFU.

Ideas for a compulsory disease levy on every livestock farmer, and compulsory insurance scheme to cover unbudgeted costs, are firmly opposed.

Kevin Pearce, the NFU’s national head of food and farming, will explain the proposals to both meetings on Thursday, May 7. They are at The Badger, Street Houses, near Ponteland, Northumberland, from 2pm to 4pm, and The Crown, at Roecliffe, near Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, at 7.30pm.