Quarantine Units to be postponed until September

NFU Cymru has welcomed the government's ‘pragmatic decision’
NFU Cymru has welcomed the government's ‘pragmatic decision’

The Welsh government has decided to delay the introduction of Quarantine Units (QUs) from Monday 12th June to Monday 11th September.

It follows representations by farming unions and other livestock industry representatives on behalf of livestock keepers wishing to attend agricultural shows this summer.

NFU Cymru has welcomed the ‘pragmatic decision’ to allow the continued use of isolation facilities in Wales until 11 September.

Wales' Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths AM said: “Following discussions with key farming and stakeholder organisations over recent days I have decided isolation facilities may continue to be used by livestock keepers for agricultural shows and those wanting to move animals for breeding purposes, until 11 September 2017, when the new legislation on Quarantine Units will come into force.

“I am sure this approach will be of benefit to the agriculture summer shows and to livestock keepers who wish to display their animals at these important rural events.”

Responding to the decision, NFU Cymru Deputy President John Davies said: “NFU Cymru welcomes this pragmatic decision from the Cabinet Secretary to allow the continued use of isolation facilities for the summer show season in Wales.

“This decision, made after unified representations were made by a number of agricultural stakeholders, including written correspondence and a meeting earlier this week between NFU Cymru and the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths AM, is welcome news for the industry.”