Statement on calf being hit by a police car

18 June 2024

NFU livestock chair David Barton

NFU livestock board chair David Barton has responded to the approach taken by Surrey police in Staines where officers hit a calf with their police car.

He said: "Like all farmers, I was deeply shocked and disturbed by this awful footage.

"It's very rare for a cow or calf to get loose in an urban environment and I understand that the police have a responsibility to first and foremost protect the public. But there has to be a protocol in place to humanely and safely deal with these situations.

“The NFU is working with Surrey police, and other forces across the country, to help ensure this situation doesn’t happen again."