The seventh edition of a rural affairs programmes produced by Tyne Tees Television that looks at the future of agricultural and the countryside as it heads towards the new millennium. In this episode a heated debate presided over by presenter Eric Robson on questions of animal rights and welfare. Title: Farming 2000 On a rainy livestock farm Eric Robson introduces this week’s edition on issues of which ‘threatens to mow down the British livestock industry’. Following on from campaigns to...

The seventh edition of a rural affairs programmes produced by Tyne Tees Television that looks at the future of agricultural and the countryside as it heads towards the new millennium. In this episode a heated debate presided over by presenter Eric Robson on questions of animal rights and welfare. Title: Farming 2000 On a rainy livestock farm Eric Robson introduces this week’s edition on issues of which ‘threatens to mow down the British livestock industry’. Following on from campaigns to ban live animal exports, the issues raised have transformed into a 'philosophical onslaught on meat producers and meat eaters' that under no circumstance should animals be killed to provide us with food or clothing. In a farmyard standing beside a metal gate a discussion is had on the subject featuring Mark Glover from Respect for Animals, Don Wilkinson, farmer and North Riding and Durham Chairman of National Farmers Union Livestock Committee, Rowland Kershaw Dalby from the Livestock Industry Support Trust and John Webster, Professor of Animal Husbandry at Bristol University. Questions addressed include ‘is it possible to keep farm animals humanely?’ and ‘Should we treat animals the same way we treat humans?’ Following the discussion Eric look to next week edition which, is believed, to be linked to some extent to issues raised in this edition that are leading some farmers to suicide. Credit: Camera David Leeder, John Hughes Sound Ken Davison, Dave Venus Electrician John Mason Vison Harry Henderson Rigger Larry Schofield Production Assistant Pauline Grant Editor Howard Beebe Researcher Liz Woodward Director Malcolm Dickinson Producer Bob Farnworth End credit: (c) Tyne Tees Television MCMXCV