COUNTRY people have been asked to say a prayer on Rogation Sunday (May 17) calling for the eradication of TB among farm animals.

A special prayer has been written and sent to Defra. It comes from the Arthur Rank Centre charity, which supports rural communities.

Rev Gordon Gatward, director of the ARC, said: “We hope country people will join us by reflecting on the sad and often tragic situation faced by both beef and dairy farmers, and by praying for a lasting solution. We will send a copy of the prayer to Defra, but all of us by praying on Rogation Sunday will be appealing to a higher authority.”

The prayer is: “Grant us we pray, listening ears and understanding hearts. May we learn to appreciate views different to our own, and have the wisdom, sensitivity and courage to work towards a lasting solution. May this disease be eradicated, badgers and cattle freed from its infection and farms and farmers enabled to look at the future with confidence.”