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Green Light For Livestock Markets Is Good News For Farmers
UK - NFU Cymru has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Rural Affairs, Elin Jones that provided that there are no further changes to the disease situation, livestock markets may resume in Wales as of next Thursday, 4 Oct 2007.Strict licensing and bio-security conditions apply, which are ultimately in the interests of the industry.
NFU Cymru President Dai Davies
Commenting on the move, NFU Cymru President Dai Davies said, “This is good news for the industry at a time when circumstances have been particularly daunting and difficult. It is another step on the stairway back to normality.
“Strict licensing and bio-security conditions apply, which are ultimately in the interests of the industry. If this is what is needed to keep disease out of Wales, then so it must be.”
Mr Davies added, “We have already raised the issue of the 20-day standstill, which is a major impediment in farm management terms at a time when there is an urgency to move stock both on and off farms for management and trading purposes.
“We have received a commitment that this will be kept under constant review. In the meantime NFU Cymru is continuing to press for the use of isolation units to be permitted to help the industry cope with the limitations imposed by the 20 day standstill.”
NFU Cymru will next meet the minister for Rural Affairs, Elin Jones to discuss Foot and Mouth and Bluetongue diseases on Monday, 1 October 2007 at 11am
