Urgent need to deliver further relaxations

URGENT NEED TO DELIVER FURTHER RELAXATIONS

Today's announcement on some movement restrictions being lifted will do little to calm the mounting anxiety and frustration according to NFU Cymru and it has called for further relaxations to be made immediately to enable farmers to manage their businesses.

NFU Cymru has welcomed the introduction of a new general licence to permit the movement of livestock up to 3km on the same premises, including movements along a public highway and individual licences for acute welfare reasons subject to a veterinary assessment and inspection but has said they do not go far enough.

Dai Davies, NFU Cymru President said, "The message I gave to the Minister today was simple. It was one of urgency. The industry simply cannot cope with the restrictions that remain in place and there is a growing sense of desperation with farmers being straight jacketed and unable to undertake essential management decisions which have not just short term implications but ramifications for the next breeding season too. Conditions are becoming intolerable and I have re-iterated and stressed the need for an early timetable for the unravelling of these restrictions so as to at least give the industry some hope and to help them plan as best they can given the circumstances."

Mr Davies added, "Unless the Assembly can begin to provide some reassurances over the potential for a regionalised approach to exports which would enable Wales to recover its export outlets then a light lamb scheme would be essential.

"Unless movement restrictions are unravelled speedily there will also be a need for a livestock welfare disposal scheme. I implore the Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones, to take these messages and particularly the one of urgency to her meeting with other GB Ministers."