Lifting of Export Restrictions is Good News for Livestock Farmers

NFU Cymru has welcomed the decision of the European Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health (Scofcah) to lift restrictions on British meat exports following the Foot and Mouth disease outbreak; although a ban will remain in place on exports from Surrey, Buckinghamshire, East Berkshire, West Sussex and Hampshire.

NFU Cymru President Dai Davies said, "The lifting of export restrictions on meat and meat products is good news for Welsh farmers, and we hope to see a rapid, significant and very much needed improvement in market prices for lambs and cull cows as a result of it.

"At last we are making progress and the lifting of the 21-day standstill restriction, which was a major bugbear, is a welcome relief. However, this does not detract from the need for an aid package for an industry struggling for economic survival and we are still pressing the Assembly Government to seek compensation for Welsh farmers from the UK Treasury."

Mr Davies added, "Although Scofcah's announcement is welcome news for the livestock industry, we are still unable to export barren cows and calves, which is a particularly important trade for milk producers. NFU Cymru will continue to fight for the resumption of live exports at the earliest opportunity."