Some relief but still A long way to go for livestock industry

Friday's announcement by Defra that movements of animals direct to slaughter will be allowed outside the Bluetongue Protection Zone has been welcomed by livestock farmers in the East Midlands. But there is still a long way to go.

NFU's regional director, Richard Hezlet said: "The news of movements to slaughter outside the BT protection zone will begin to help ease the enormous financial and emotion strain placed on our livestock producers. But we are a long way from normality. The restrictions will be in place for a very long time to come and beef and sheep farmers still face a very difficult future as they adjust to living with Bluetongue.

"Friday's announcement that from Monday, livestock markets can resume for animal sales within the Bluetongue area, as well as to slaughter, is the result of urgent discussions by NFU on behalf of the industry," added Richard Hezlet.

Wednesday (17th) sees the lifting of Foot and Mouth Disease movement restrictions for most of the country, including the East Midlands' Bluetongue-affected areas. This will come as a huge relief as it means that we can hold store and pedigree markets within the Bluetongue area and there will be a 6-day animal standstill on farms, not 20 days. The full details of the conditions under which movements to slaughter and to live markets within the zones can happen are still not available from Defra.