Bluetongue: MPs warn rules will be 'catastrophic' for trade
MPs on both sides of the border have warned that new bluetongue rules will be 'catastrophic' for trade that many local farmers rely on.
David Chadwick and Helen Morgan - Liberal Democrat MPs for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, and North Shropshire, respectively – have joined forces to call on the UK and Welsh governments to work together to implement 'consistent, common-sense policies that protect the welfare of animals and the livelihood of farmers'.
It comes after the Welsh Government announced changes from July 1 that will force any sheep and goats to test negative for the bluetongue virus before being transported from England into Wales.
Even fully vaccinated sheep will be blocked from crossing into Wales due to the Welsh Government not accepting the most common type of vaccine.
Farmers will be forced to fork as much as £70 per test for sheep crossing the border.
This is despite the virus being carried by midges and so there being no visible border between England and Wales.
Meanwhile, hundreds of farms are operating across both sides of the border.
David Chadwick, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, said: 'Thousands of farms along the England-Wales border are reliant on cross-border trade.
'Farmers simply cannot afford the costs this policy will inflict on them. They are fed up of being taken for granted by governments in London and Wales.
'It's time we saw solutions and support from ministers instead of blow after blow to agricultural businesses.'
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Both raised the issue with the Government in the House of Commons on Thursday (June 19) and have now written to DEFRA Secretary Steve Reed calling on him to work at pace with the Welsh Government to develop a co-ordinated approach 'so that farmers can be given the clarity and consistency they need'.
They also highlighted concerns that the Animal and Plant Health Agency lacks the capacity to test every animal crossing the border and that livestock markets on both sides of the border including Oswestry, Welshpool, Builth Wells, Presteigne and Hereford, would suffer as a result.
Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire, said: 'Farmers in Shropshire are already under intense pressure and now they are being forced to fork out because two Labour Governments are not working together.
'Leaders in Westminster and Cardiff must work together to support farmers on both sides of the border and give them the clarity and consistency they need.'
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