Once again Southern Water has shown its complete disregard for paying customers. A small family-run dairy farm, Hiltonbury Jerseys, near Winchester, suffered a water outage last December, plus another the following February.

They were promised they would go on an emergency list but were later informed that Southern Water does not have to legally supply water to animals.

The local fire brigade kindly came to the rescue of the dehydrated herd. The knock-on effect of this was a loss of 20 per cent of said herd and a large amount of aborted calves. Milk production has suffered.

The family tried to put in a claim to their insurance company, the NFU, who then decided their policy didn't cover this as the water outage was off the farm!

The Neagle family are hard-working farmers who strive to feed the British population. Times are hard for everyone but when this family needed help, these two big companies, who are quick to take your money, suddenly want nothing to do with you. If these cows were any other animals the RSPCA and possibly Chris Packham would be all over this.

Because of Southern Water and the NFU, this family is on the verge of going under. It's an outrage and these companies should be held to account and be totally ashamed.

Mrs Jo Horn,

Lippen Lane,

Warnford,

Hampshire

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