Easier movement for sheep and goats `not enough' (article)

Posted by GoatWorld on August 21, 2002 at 10:00:55:

Easier movement for sheep and goats `not enough' Aug 20 2002

Sheila Coleman Sheila.Coleman@Wme.Co.Uk, The Western Mail


SOME restrictions on the move-ment of farm animals will be eased next month, but farmers' leaders say more still needs to be done to help the industry return to normality.

From September 6, farmers will no longer have to apply for a licence each time they move sheep and goats. Stock will be allowed to move under a less restrictive general licence.

The need for individual licences for cattle movements was lifted earlier this year.

However, Animal Health Minister Elliot Morley has ruled out an end to remaining restrictions under the 20-day standstill rule until next year at the earliest.

He said any decision would come only after the ministry had received the results of a full risk assessment, expected by the end of the year.

"The present regime will operate until January and there will have to be another regime put in place from then," said Mr Morley.

National Assembly Rural Development Minister Michael German said he was pleased that the new rules took on board the views of the farming industry and veterinary advice.

"The revised arrangements balance the need for high levels of biosecurity and workable arrangements," he said.

"It makes good sense that from September 6 sheep and goat farmers will no longer need to apply for individual movement licences for their livestock.

" While it is important that we are able to trace the movement of animals, it is sensible to make the paperwork required from farmers as straightforward as possible."

While welcoming the move, farmers maintained that nothing more than a total lifting of the 20-day standstill would help their businesses recover from last

year's foot-and-mouth crisis.

National Farmers' Union Cymru director Malcolm Thomas said, "The general licence will be a help, but the general feeling is we have got to fight to get rid of the 20-day standstill altogether.

Farmers' Union of Wales spokesman Alan Morris said, "The Government is hammering farmers by maintaining these restrictions instead of taking tough decisions and spending money to secure our ports to ensure that no diseases enter this country via infected illegal meat."

Copyright and Trade Mark Notice
© owned by or licensed to Trinity Mirror Plc 2002
icWalesTM is a trade mark of Trinity Mirror Plc.

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:
Subject:
Comments:
Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL: