Bluetongue regulations relaxed for Welsh farmers

Local TV

Bluetongue virus has affected thousands of cows across England, and to a lesser extent in Wales, but so far, restrictions have been strict for Welsh farmers. The Welsh Government have just announced a relaxation of the rules to allow Welsh farmers to sell cattle in some English markets.

Transcript

00:00From Monday 18th August, changes to blue-tongue virus rules will come into effect for Welsh

00:06farmers, just in time for the busy autumn livestock sales.

00:11Under the new measures, animals in Wales that have completed a full course of vaccinations

00:15against blue-tongue serotype 3, or BTV3, will now be allowed to attend certain livestock

00:20markets in England, within 20km of the Welsh border.

00:25These include well-known sites like Bishop's Castle, Hereford, Oswestry and Shrewsbury.

00:31But the conditions are still strict.

00:33Animals must return to Wales the same day, can't stay overnight, and there are no pre- or post-movement

00:38tests if all conditions are met.

00:41Wales' Chief Veterinary Officer Richard Irvine says the phased approach has been agreed to

00:45balance the needs of the industry against the risk of disease, after stakeholder discussions

00:50and amid growing concerns over trade restrictions.

00:54He says blue-tongue is a serious disease and stresses the importance of vaccination, compliance

00:59and shared responsibility.

01:02The Welsh Government is also now considering expanding the policy further, including allowing

01:06breeding sales in Wales itself, through new so-called blue-tongue-approved green markets.

01:12And applications for that status won't open until mid-September.

01:17That delay has sparked concern from NFU Cymru.

01:20Its President, Annette Jones, says many crucial breeding sales could be missed if action isn't

01:24taken sooner, leaving Welsh farmers at a disadvantage compared to their English counterparts, especially

01:30as buyers look elsewhere.

01:32The policy is likely to evolve again in the coming weeks, but for now, vaccinated livestock

01:36will be allowed to cross the border under controlled conditions as the autumn sales season begins.

01:41James Beach Watkins, reporting for Local TV.

01:43James Beach Watkins, reporting for Local TV.

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