Bluetongue stock ban call

NFU Cymru director Mary James and I joined the leaders of the NFU, NFU Scotland and the Ulster Farmers’ Union on Friday to reiterate our call for a suspension of live cattle and sheep imports from infected areas in Continental Europe because of the threat of bluetongue.

During our joint meeting in Brussels, we highlighted the huge risks to the beef and sheep sector in the UK from imported stock carrying BTV8 or BTV1. Because of this we are urging the Government to suspend all imports of live cattle and sheep from these areas.