Bluetongue Restriction Zone Spreads to Powys - Williams & Bates Comment (Kirsty Williams AM )

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Kirsty Williams AM <info@kirstywilliams.org.uk>

Bluetongue Restriction Zone Spreads to Powys - Williams & Bates Comment

February 14, 2008 3:00 PM

Following the confirmation of Bluetongue outbreaks in Dorset, 10 counties in South Wales now fall within the surrounding 150km restricted zone required under EU legislation.

The restricted zone includes a section of Powys, cutting the Brecon Beacons in half; along with all or parts of: Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Caerphilly, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Vale of Glamorgan, Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot, Cardiff, Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr Tydfil.

Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Agriculture and Montgomeryshire AM, Mick Bates comments:

"With these latest outbreaks of Bluetongue it is crucial that the Labour-Plaid Government makes a decision now on the best way forward for dealing with this deadly disease. The Bluetongue Vaccine is still not available and in the meantime the livestock market is in chaos.

"The Minister for Rural Affairs must consider the best option for the livestock industry in Wales. It may be that the best route forward is to announce the whole of England and Wales as an affected area. This would resolve current difficulties of trading between affected and clean zones. It would allow farmers to continue to trade as normal internally and I have seen no evidence that it would affect our external trade market."

Kirsty Williams Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon & Radnorshire said:

"This is very worrying news not only for farmers in the restricted areas but for those across Wales as whole, with the continued threat of the spread of the disease. We are fortunate that this is a 'vector-free period' meaning that the cooler weather means the disease carrying midge is less active. However it is still a very real threat and while we must remain calm it is vital that farmers adhere to the restrictions.

"It is essential that the Welsh Assembly Government works closely with the Westminster Government, the farming Unions and other stakeholders to fully prepare for all possible outcomes and that enough vaccination is made available as soon as possible in case of the spread of disease into Wales.

"The Assembly Government must put measures in place to minimise the potential economic impact that this disease could have on the industry and be prepared to react to any eventuality through constant review of the situation."