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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Monks seek reprieve for bullock | Monks seek reprieve for bullock |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Hindu monks have argued in court for a reprieve for their "sacred" bullock Shambo, who is due to be slaughtered after testing positive for bovine TB. | |
| Lawyers for a multi-faith community in Carmarthenshire want a judicial review and may also seek an injunction if the decision goes against them. | |
| Assembly Rural Development Minister Jane Davidson has said destroying Shambo would protect the public. | |
| The Cardiff court will also hear the Welsh Assembly Government's arguments. | |
| Lawyers for the Skanda Vale community at Llanpumsaint in Carmarthenshire argued that killing the bullock would violate their right to freedom of religion. | |
| They also said they would keep Shambo away from other animals and that, even if he does develop TB, he will not be a risk to public and animal health. | They also said they would keep Shambo away from other animals and that, even if he does develop TB, he will not be a risk to public and animal health. |
| It is expected that the hearing 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 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 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 laws | Human rights laws |
| Brother Alex said the case did not fit "the legislative model... applied to animals on a commercial farm". | |
| "There is a rational approach to it which doesn't necessitate slaughter," he said, and that they were "hopeful" of a positive decision. | |
| 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 Paul Flynn MP | 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 Paul Flynn MP |
| "If he doesn't we will consider the options of appeal, otherwise we shall be having a special religious festival to celebrate the sanctity of life." | "If he doesn't we will consider the options of appeal, otherwise we shall be having a special religious festival to celebrate the sanctity of life." |
| The hearing comes at it emerged that other animals at the community, a former hill farm, may have also tested positive for the disease. | |
| 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'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." | "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." |
| 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". | 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". |
| 'Sentiment' | 'Sentiment' |
| "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 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." |
| Brynle Williams, 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." | He said: "What a lot of people omit to understand that each time this poor animal breathes, he excretes the virus." |
| 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. | 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. |