Latest news with #Bluetongue
South Wales Argus
12 hours ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
MS says government should support Monmouthshire farmers
Bluetongue, a disease spread by midges, affects sheep and cattle but poses no risk to humans. The new regulations put in place by the Welsh Government will prevent livestock from England from entering Wales. This move is expected to impact normal trading practices. Peter Fox, Member of the Senedd for Monmouth, voiced his worries regarding these restrictions. He said: "These new regulations will cause huge financial problems for farmers, but they will not keep Bluetongue out of Wales. "We should align with England's restricted zone policy with increased vaccinations to avoid unnecessarily harming the farming community further." Mr Fox also highlighted the resultant decline in livestock at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, an event hailed as one of Europe's leading agricultural exhibitions. Further criticism was directed at the Labour Government, with Mr Fox stating: "I am disappointed that once again, Welsh Labour are abandoning our farmers, we need to support farmers in Monmouthshire." Huw Irranca-Davies, deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, addressed the situation with the disease. He said: "My goal at this stage remains to keep Bluetongue out of Wales for the benefit of our animals and those who keep them. "The economic and farmer well-being concerns caused by dealing with severe Bluetongue are first and foremost in my mind." He also expressed his willingness to review and adapt the current policies, should the situation change. "Our shared priority over the coming weeks is to promote vaccine take-up," he added.
Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Powys MP meets Government Minister over bluetongue crisis
A Powys MP has met with a Government minister over the crisis for sheep farmers that could be coming due to Bluetongue restrictions. MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, David Chadwick, met with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales Dame Nia Griffith to discuss the issue which has farmers either side of the Welsh Border alarmed. Mr Chadwick was also able to secure invitations for Matthew Nicholls - Director at Hereford Market Auctioneers & Welsh representative of the Livestock Auctioneers Association and Simon Edwards - the Chairman of McCartneys to join the meeting with the Minister. From July 1 sheep farmers will be required to pay for a bluetongue test for the animals to cross into Wales from England which may cost as much as £70 per animal. The move has been met with horror by local farmers who in some cases will face a bill of as much as £25,000 to move sheep from one part of their land to another. During the meeting, Mr Chadwick explained the situation facing farmers on the Welsh border and the economic impact facing farmers and local livestock markets in Knighton, Talgarth, Builth Wells, Hereford and Welshpool. Both Mr Nicholls and Mr Edwards explained directly to the Minister the scale of the threat faced by local farmers and livestock markets as a result of the effective hard border for sheep travelling between England and Wales. Following the meeting, Under-Secretary of State for Wales Dame Nia Griffith said she will seek to work with the Welsh Government to find a solution. 'I'm very grateful to the Minister for making the time to meet with myself and representatives of the local livestock markets to discuss the issues being faced by the sector as a result of the Welsh Government's response to Bluetongue,' said Mr Chadwick. 'The Liberal Democrats have been repeatedly highlighting how the current system is completely unworkable and not financially viable for local farmers, especially as we approach breeding season at the end of summer. Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app 'The Welsh Government must focus on vaccination and do away with the impractical testing scheme. 'I will continue to ensure I engage with both Welsh and UK Government ministers to make this case and update local farmers on any progress.' Mr David Chadwick has questioned ministers twice on the issue, as has his Lib Dem colleague from North Shropshire Helen Morgan MP and the Liberal Democrats' Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Marie Goldman MP.
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
New controls announced to keep Bluetongue out of Wales
These new control measures come as Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) has been successfully prevented from circulating in Wales. The virus primarily affects sheep, cattle, goats, deer, alpacas, and llamas, leading to severe health issues and economic impacts on farms. The disease is spread by biting midges, active mostly between April and November. It can also spread through the movement of infected animals. Wales remains BTV-3 free, and the government is now implementing updated movement controls in response to the introduction of an England-wide Bluetongue Restricted Zone effective from July 1. The government is keen for farm businesses to be well-informed about the disease. Farming Connect will host a webinar on Monday, June 30 at 7.30pm to provide more information. Farmers are encouraged to register through the Farming Connect Service Centre or the Farming Connect website. Vaccines are available to protect livestock from Bluetongue, and farmers are advised to consult their vets to determine if vaccination is suitable for their animals. The government remains committed to keeping Bluetongue out of Wales and ensuring the health and welfare of livestock, alongside protecting farm incomes.
Business News Wales
4 days ago
- Health
- Business News Wales
Updated Bluetongue Guidance for Livestock Keepers
The Welsh Government has reinforced its commitment to protecting Welsh livestock from Bluetongue, a serious viral disease, with new disease control measures coming into effect in time for 1 July. To date, Wales has successfully kept Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) from circulating locally and remains BTV-3 free. Recognising the introduction of the England-wide Bluetongue Restricted Zone (RZ) from 1 July, Welsh Government is implementing updated movement controls to safeguard Welsh livestock. Bluetongue is a notifiable viral disease that impacts sheep, cattle, goats, deer, alpacas, and llamas and can have severe consequences for animal health and welfare, and farm incomes, causing illness, deaths, abortions, and birth defects, alongside significant movement restrictions and trade challenges. It is primarily spread by biting midges which are most active in the warmer months between April and November. Disease can also be spread by the movement of infected animals. Vaccines to protect livestock from the worst effects of Bluetongue are available and farmers are encouraged to consult their vet on whether they are appropriate for their herds and flocks. To ensure Welsh farm businesses are well-informed about this disease, Farming Connect will be hosting a webinar on Monday June 30 at 7:30pm. To register, contact the Farming Connect Service Centre, or CLICK HERE.
Powys County Times
20-06-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
Rules for cattle relaxed in the new Bluetongue rules
Cattle moving from England into Wales WILL be permitted if they are vaccinated for bluetongue, the Welsh Government says - but sheep must still be tested before crossing the border. In a new announcement on Friday, the Welsh Government confirmed it will allow cattle fully vaccinated with Boehringer Ingelheim's Bultavo-3 vaccine, to move under licence, from a Restricted Zone to Wales without a pre-movement test – however this will not apply to sheep. There has been outrage amongst Powys farmers about rules being brought in from July 1 which would mean that any sheep that crossed the Welsh border would require a test for the bluetongue virus. Tests for Bluetongue cost anywhere from £40-£70 per animal meaning some farmers would be faced with bills of tens of thousands to move livestock across the border for grazing or for going to market. The Welsh Government confirmed that 'all sheep must be pre-movement tested and require an accompanying licence to move into Wales to live from the Restricted Zone (RZ) in England, as no vaccine products currently meet the requirements for protecting sheep from BTV-3 to allow them to move out of the RZ.' Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: 'My goal at this stage remains to keep Bluetongue out of Wales for the benefit of our animals and those who keep them. 'The economic and farmer wellbeing concerns caused by dealing with severe Bluetongue are first and foremost in my mind. "I also want to allow more time to observe the severity of the disease in England, and for keepers to vaccinate their herds and flocks. Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the Oswestry Advertizer website Advert-light access Reader rewards 'I have made clear the thinking behind my decision in the Senedd this week, but I want to keep it under review. Should the evidence change, and we need to alter the policy, we will revisit and review this in a dynamic way. 'Our shared priority over the coming weeks is to promote vaccine take-up. All representatives at the Roundtable I recently convened were unanimous in their support for vaccination as the best method of protecting livestock and reducing the impacts of Bluetongue." 'I cannot in all conscience invite Bluetongue into Wales, but we are prepared to adapt to the evolving disease situation.' In the announcement, the Welsh Government also confirmed that as a response to increased risk of Bluetongue, including 'temperatures that are consistent with the active transmission period,' these measures will come into force as of today (June 20) in relation to the current Restricted Zone in England, which covers the east of England.
