A BOLTON farmer has accused a "callous minority" of cashing in on the foot and mouth crisis.

She has joined with National Farmers Union (NFU) representatives who claim that some people are profiteering by unnecessarily raising the price of meat.

NFU member, Joyce Kellet, who owns farm land near the Bolton and Horwich border with her husband Dave, said: "In certain cases butchers and supermarkets are having to raise the price of their meat according to where it has come from. If it has come from abroad then the price may have to go up, but in most cases, meat prices should not be increasing. I believe somewhere along the line someone is profiteering and prices are increasing when they don't need to be. As stated by the NFU, if the prices are increasing at the cost of the farmer then he should be receiving more money for his animals instead of less."

And NFU representative, Frank Bowley said: "Lamb prices are a particular worry at present. We're monitoring the position very closely and have made it clear that this is no time for others to be profiteering at the farmer's expense."

A Westhoughton farmer, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "The abattoirs are getting meat cheaper at the moment and therefore it should be sold cheaper to the customer, there is no way it should be more expensive."

Mrs Kellet, says some disinfectant suppliers are also cashing in on the high demand for their product and raising their prices through the roof.

She said: "My husband paid £25 per gallon for disinfectant from one supplier, but NFU figures show some suppliers are heeding to the national crisis by selling MAFF approved disinfectant at £5.20 per gallon."

She added: "In most cases people genuinely care about the farming community but it is just a callous minority who are cashing in on this terrible situation. In my eyes these people who are raising prices unnecessarily and profiteering are deplorable.

"If people do not support the farmers, they won't be there any more and the countryside will revert back to moorland. We must support the British farmer and the British butcher and do all we can to help."

The NFU are investigating the profiteering claims and a spokesman said the situation is being closely monitored.