Farmer lives in fear as he awaits mad cow test results

The wait for the results of the final tests on the second suspected case of mad cow in Minorca is proving too much for the owners of the farm where this latest case was detected. The Saura Anglada family, which owns the Sa Torreta Saura farms near Ciutadella, fears the worst and have spoken of deep concern for the future of their farm and livelihood if the tests prove positive. The local authorities have made it clear that, in accordance with the European Union mad cow guidelines, if BSE mad cow disease is found, then the rest of the cattle herd will have to be slaughtered, along with the 400 cows which are to be killed across the region by the Balearic government as a preventative measure. Anglada Saura said yesterday that the family is dreading the thought of the authorities signing the order that all 45 head of cattle are to be put down. Of the 45-strong herd, 33 are adult dairy cattle used for the production of cheese and the remaining 12 are calves.