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Monks seek reprieve for bullock Monks seek reprieve for bullock
(about 7 hours later)
Hindu monks will be seeking a reprieve in court later for "sacred" bullock Shambo, who is due to be slaughtered after testing positive for bovine TB. Hindu monks will be seeking a reprieve in court for "sacred" bullock Shambo, who is due to be slaughtered after testing positive for bovine TB.
Lawyers acting for Shambo's owners at a multi-faith community in Carmarthenshire want a judicial review.Lawyers acting for Shambo's owners at a multi-faith community in Carmarthenshire want a judicial review.
They may also seek an injunction against the slaughter notice if the review's decision goes against them.They may also seek an injunction against the slaughter notice if the review's decision goes against them.
Rural minister Jane Davidson, who approved the slaughter, said destroying Shambo would protect the public. Assembly Rural minister Jane Davidson said destroying Shambo would protect the public.
It is expected that the hearing in Cardiff will take no longer than a day and a decision will be taken on Shambo's fate, although the community could still appeal.It is expected that the hearing in Cardiff will take no longer than a day and a decision will be taken on Shambo's fate, although the community could still appeal.
Farmers and AMs have said the bullock should face the same fate as any other cattle if they were diagnosed with bovine TB.Farmers and AMs have said the bullock should face the same fate as any other cattle if they were diagnosed with bovine TB.
Under control measures, slaughter is carried out to protect human and animal health.Under control measures, slaughter is carried out to protect human and animal health.
Human rights lawsHuman rights laws
In a statement to AMs made earlier this month, Ms Davidson said she had to take account of the need to eliminate - and not just reduce - the risk of spreading TB. Lawyers for the Skanda Vale community at Llanpumsaint in Carmarthenshire, will set out the monks' case under human rights laws to have Shambo spared.
But lawyers for the Skanda Vale community at Llanpumsaint, Carmarthenshire, will set out the monks' case under human rights laws to have Shambo spared. The monks, who consider Shambo sacred, had set out a plan which included a detailed set of proposals to further test, isolate and treat him.
They will also highlight issues around the reliability of the initial test on Shambo, made during a routine screening on 27 April. The hearing comes at it has emerged that other animals at community, a former hill farm, may have also tested positive for the disease.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Sanjay Mistray said there were further tests the six-year-old black Friesian cross could undergo that would indicate whether he actually has TB. Speaking on Radio Wales, NFU Cymru President Dai Davies said: "If you take the responsibility of keeping cattle or livestock, not only do you take the responsibility of feeding that animal but also you take the responsibility to make sure that animal doesn't spread disease to other animals or the public at large.
"It seems ridiculous that the only way to tell if a cow has bovine TB is slaughter it, and then test it," he said. "It's fine to talk about isolating Shambo but I'm sure there will be individuals in the farming community who'll have had very valuable animals [whose genetic qualities] could have made them a lot of money but they've had to accept the law of the land."
Detailed proposals But Newport West MP Paul Flynn described the calls for Shambo to be slaughtered as "barbaric" and the "crude power of the farming industry stamping their will on a community".
The monks had set out a plan which included a detailed set of proposals to further test, isolate and treat Shambo. 'Sentiment'
Mr Mistray said if their appeal for Shambo's life failed, they anticipated the Welsh Assembly Government would approach the bullock's destruction with care. He said: "The farmers, I am afraid, see the solution of mass extermination as working everywhere. We know how the disease is spreading. It is spreading in marketplaces.
"The Welsh assembly has been quite co-operative up until now and gave us seven days from the notice of slaughter to appeal," he said. "The community there have a deep respect for life, for human life and animal life and we are trampling on their feelings for no good reason. The way to get rid of TB is to reduce the number of movements of cattle."
"We are hoping if the decision goes against us they will continue in that vein." Brynle Williams AM, Conservative spokesman for rural affairs in the assembly, said "sentiment" needed to be taken out of the debate.
He said: "What a lot of people omit to understand that each time this poor animal breathes, he excretes the virus.
"The man that is actually looking after him - there is a possibility he could contract TB."
A campaign to save Shambo has included an online petition which has attracted almost 20,000 names. A video stream has also been broadcast live from Shambo's pen in the temple.A campaign to save Shambo has included an online petition which has attracted almost 20,000 names. A video stream has also been broadcast live from Shambo's pen in the temple.
In a statement to AMs made earlier this month, Ms Davidson said she had to take account of the need to eliminate - and not just reduce - the risk of spreading TB.