A LAST-ditch attempt has been made by MP Ian Liddell-Grainger to help Exmoor farmer Michael Reed prevent a TB-infected cow being removed from her new-born calf.

Mr Reed, who has farmed all his life at Higher Ranscombe, near Wootton Courtenay, fears the calf may die without being able to suckle on its mother and wants to keep the cow for a few more weeks.

But Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) officials acting on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) gave Mr Reed until Tuesday (May 28) to agree to hand over the Hereford Cross cow.

Ahead of the deadline, Mr Liddell-Grainger appealed to Defra to allow Mr Reed to temporarily retain the cow on his farm to suckle the calf.

Mr Liddell-Grainger wrote to Defra Secretary Steve Barclay asking for leniency to be shown in the case.

He said: “Mr Reed has kept the cow isolated to minimise any risk of infection spreading and only wants to keep it for four months until the calf is fully weaned.

“I understand entirely that it has required a massive effort on behalf of the authorities and the Government to get on top of the TB epidemic and it is only by rigorous application of the rules and taking measures which at times have been pretty unpopular that we have been able to achieve the success we have.

“All I am asking is for the APHA to weigh up the situation carefully before taking a final decision.”