MP Calls for Lifting of Twenty Day Rule

Roger Williams MP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Food and Rural Affairs, has written to Hillary Benn, Secretary of State Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Elin Jones, Minister for Rural Affairs in Wales; calling for the lifting of the 'Twenty-Day Rule' which prevents farmers from selling stock from their farms for twenty days after they have purchased the stock. This restriction was introduced following the foot and mouth outbreak last month.

Roger Williams said; "This is the busiest time of year for sheep farmers, putting in breeding ewes and rams and at the same time wishing to sell sheep that have been born that year. This restriction will disrupt their plans for building their breeding flocks while at the same time putting strain on their ability to keep stock and will also put pressure on their cash flows."

"I am very pleased that many of the restrictions following the outbreak of foot and mouth have now been lifted and I congratulate all those who have been involved in limiting the disease and hopefully eradicating it and I include both farmers and officials. However the twenty day rule is a relic of the massive outbreak in 2001 and is not relevant to this more limited event. The restriction is not proportionate to the risk and I call upon the Secretary of State and the Minister in Wales to lift it."