Mole fight saga

A mole catcher, whose business has been destroyed by EU legislation, is determined to take his fight to the European Courts of Justice.

Peter Brown, of Shaw, has been objecting to the rules, which have taken away his living, since they were first mooted and is fighting for compensation for his loss.

He staged a protest outside the offices of Euro-MP Chris Davies in Stockport on Friday — the second one he has held there. This time, Mr Brown was armed with a megaphone to make passers-by aware of his grievance.

The 55-year-old claims he has lost his business because EU rules have banned him from using strychnine hydrochloride.

Mr Brown’s long campaign against the ban has so far met without success but he is determined to pursue the matter and staged the protest outside Mr Davies’s office because the Euro-MP supports the legislation.

Mr Brown was joined at both protests by activists from the UK Independence Party — which is supporting his fight — including North-West chairman Phil Griffiths.

“I’ve been told that I’m not entitled to compensation. It seems totally unfair given that others, including French fishermen, have received pay-outs after their livelihoods were harmed,” said Mr Brown.

“I’ve been unable to get any legal help and I should not have to take it through the English courts, I should be able to go directly to the European Courts of Justice,” he explained.

Moles push up soil which can then get into silage and cause potentially fatal listeriosis in cattle and sheep. Humans who eat infected meat can then catch listeria.