Over 2000 farm animals feared dead in flooding
Thousands of livestock are feared to have died in the floods caused by Storm Desmond earlier this month.
Thousands of livestock are feared to have died in the floods caused by Storm Desmond earlier this month.
Farmers Weekly say that latest estimates from the Fallen Stock Company show that around 2000 sheep and 100 cattle perished in the flood water.
The news comes as Forage Aid, a charity which supplied emergency livestock feed and bedding to farmers hit by the storm, repeated its call for fodder and feed.
Speaking to Farmers Weekly, Forage Aid founder Andrew Ward said: “It is very bad in places – there are many more animal fatalities than many people envisaged.
“Thousands of sheep have died or are missing – a lot of people I have spoken to believe they have been washed out into the Irish Sea.”
The charity say that they have received 200 pledges from farmers wanting donate forage, with nine livestock markets in Cumbria signed up as distribution depots for supplies.
However, they add that farmers wanting to donate supplied should do so through the Forage Aid website, and not turn up at the depots unannounced.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
