The Welsh Government has come under heavy criticism from Senedd members over its approach to bluetongue disease, with warnings that new livestock movement rules could cause confusion, economic harm, and disruption across rural Wales. Video from Senedd.tv
00:01Dear Opposite and Officer, First Minister, the Welsh Government's approach to Blue Tongue is one of the most baffling and impractical things I have seen from this Government.
00:10And yet again, no common sense has been applied whatsoever.
00:15What it does show is a real disconnect and a lack of understanding from the Government of how livestock movements and how livestock sales actually work.
00:23And it also doesn't show where farmers with sheep on tack in England now face eye-watering testing costs, complex licensing and huge uncertainty going forward.
00:34The impact on cross-border trade is also going to be significant.
00:37Disrupting markets, having a two-tiered system when it comes to buying livestock in terms of prices and hitting our breeding sales across the country.
00:47And let's be honest, First Minister, the midges don't know the difference between England and Wales.
00:53They don't know where the offers dike is and they don't stop to show an ID or a passport.
00:58The Deputy First Minister has got this decision wrong.
01:04And it is now time for you to step in and show some leadership and change course.
01:09So will you confirm today, will you change course on this policy before untold damage is done to our livestock industry in Wales?
01:17Or are you yet again going to sit down, be quiet and show that Labour is out of touch and out of touch with our livestock farmers and my constituents and the people who produce food for this country?
01:28I think, as I say, there will be a more comprehensive statement by the Deputy First Minister later.
01:36What I can tell you is that we are aware that there are financial pressures for industry arising from this decision.
01:44But we know also that we need to be concerned about farmer well-being in terms of the impacts of dealing with sick animals if bluetum comes in.
01:54And the point is, it is not here at the moment.
01:57So why would we invite it in?
02:00There are implications of this disease.
02:04And obviously, as I say, this will be kept under review all the time.
