Minister sees devastation left by foot-and-mouth

THE devastating impact on Welsh farming families of the summer outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease was brought home to Wales Office Minister Huw Irranca-Davies during a farm visit in Ceredigion.

Mr Irranca-Davies, Welsh Secretary Peter Hain's deputy as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales, heard first-hand evidence of the impact during his visit to Felinhen, a family farm at Capel Madog near Aberystwyth, run by Eirwyn and Nest Jones and their sons Rheinallt and Llyr.

"Mr Irranca-Davies asked to visit a member's farm and hear first-hand evidence following concerns expressed by the FUW over the severe impact foot-and-mouth continues to have on family businesses," said FUW Ceredigion county chairman Brynmor Morgan.

"The economic hardships for hundreds of Welsh families continues and will do so for many months – but for some the impact will last forever."