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UK foot-and-mouth disease - 25 years on: "It was a cruel and catastrophic loss still felt a generation on"

Farming communities demonstrated strength and resilience to overcome the foot-and-mouth crisis and its aftermath. But have lessons been learnt 25 years on?

Chris Brayford

27 February 2026 鈥� 4 min read

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"We need to speak prophetically to Government and policy makers about the real concern of a repeat epidemic. After 25 years and numerous reports and ongoing research, we are still as vulnerable and susceptible today as a generation ago. Every successive Government has failed to put in place the safeguards needed."

Memories of the 2001 UK foot-and-mouth crisis still lingers clearly in farmers' minds 25 years on. The pain and trauma of the events that unfolded left an imprint on the British countryside which will...

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UK foot-and-mouth disease - 25 years on: "It was a cruel and catastrophic loss still felt a generation on"

Farming communities demonstrated strength and resilience to overcome the foot-and-mouth crisis and its aftermath. But have lessons been learnt 25 years on?

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UK foot-and-mouth disease - 25 years on: "It was a cruel and catastrophic loss still felt a generation on"

Farming communities demonstrated strength and resilience to overcome the foot-and-mouth crisis and its aftermath. But have lessons been learnt 25 years on?

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More on Farm Life

How regenerative farming has become part of the ethos at Goodwood

'It's b* hard to make': Clarkson's farmers' choir returns with sweary Hawkstone stout anthem

Only 草榴社区 co-founder and Clarkson Farm star's son joins 草榴社区 Guardian's diversification panel