VALE of York MP Anne McIntosh is writing to Farming Minister Elliot Morley to demand that he stops attacking Thirsk farmers.

Ms McIntosh was contacted by the National Farmers' Union in the wake of recent comments by Mr Morley in relation to the Animal Health (Amendment) Bill.

The minister said the bill was being introduced in the wake of court action taken by farmers in Thirsk during the foot and mouth crisis.

He claimed their actions in taking the Government to court to try and prevent the slaughter of animals in contiguous culls may have contributed to the spread of the disease.

The bill gives Government vets tough new powers to slaughter animals without having to go to court.

Ms Mcintosh said the NFU had been upset by "grossly inaccurate" remarks made by Mr Morley.

"I will be asking him to stop attacking the farmers in my constituency and to correct some of the remarks he has been making."

Updated: 11:28 Thursday, November 29, 2001