Imbasan Peristiwa: Penternak Lembu di Jempol Saman Kerajaan

Breeders sue over FMD-infected cows

(petikan berita drpd FMT)

SEREMBAN: Two cows that were given to three breeders by the Veterinary Department were infected with Foot and Mouth Disease and almost wiped out their whole herd.

Now, the three cow breeders from Bahau are suing the Malaysian government, the Negeri Sembilan

Veterinary Department and four others for sum of almost RM1 million.

K Tamilselvan, C Krishnan and M Nganersegaran are suing the defendants for alleged carelessness and failure to make sure that the cows given to them under the “Ternakan Bekalan Trust 2010” scheme was free from the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

Their lawyer T Kumar said that on Dec 16, 2010, the three were asked to collect two cows from the Gemencheh Milk Industry Service Centre.

“On Dec 22, the breeders found that the cows showed symptoms of FMD like watery (saliva) mouth, mouth ulcer, mouth bleeding and wound in the foot. Because of this, the cows did not have an appetite.

“On Dec 27, the cows were confirmed as having FMD by the Jempol Veterinary Department. FMD is a contagious disease and the rest of the cows belonging to the three breeders were infected with FMD as well.

“Most of the cows died and the breeders suffered heavy losses,” Kumar said.

Kumar, who is also the PKR deputy secretary general, said the cow breeders are suing the eight defendants for RM842, 000 for 147 cows that died due to FMD.

They are also seeking RM88,000 as compensation as their cow milk production was badly affected due to the FMD disease and another RM21, 000 for the cows’ medical cost.

Tamilselvan said that they resorted to bring the case to court as this was the final option they had to get a proper justice and compensation.

“The Veterinary Department should make sure the cows are free from FMD before they gave us the cows.

“Furthermore this is our only job. Our main income is by selling the cows’ milks. We are not part time cow breeders,” said Tamilselvan

Laporan di Malaysiakini.com video di bawah;

{http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D16O20uDEOg&feature=player_embedded}