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2001 UK foot-and-mouth outbreak - 25 years on: "It was the worst time of my life"

Auctioneer Andrew Templeton, of Harrison & Hetherington, reflects on a defining chapter in British agriculture's history, the emotional impact of working in the industry at the time, and why the sector has still not fully recovered since

Chris Brayford
clock 鈥� 4 min read
Andrew Templeton, auctioneer at Harrison & Hetherington, said: "We must remember, for livestock farmers, it was total devastation. Since that day, there is not a livestock farmer who has not uttered the words, 鈥榃e must not let the marts close again', at some time or another."
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Andrew Templeton, auctioneer at Harrison & Hetherington, said: "We must remember, for livestock farmers, it was total devastation. Since that day, there is not a livestock farmer who has not uttered the words, 鈥榃e must not let the marts close again', at some time or another."

It has been 25 years since the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak brought the livestock industry to a standstill. For Harrison & Hetherington auctioneer Andrew Templeton, it remains the most devastating...

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