Deadly livestock virus travel restrictions to ease
From Monday, livestock with a completed course of bluetongue vaccination (BTV-3) can be taken to markets within 12 miles (20km) of the Welsh border.
Wales' chief vet Richard Irvine said bluetongue - a virus transmitted by midge bites that affects cattle, sheep and goats - was "a potentially devastating disease".
Farmer Ryan Thomas said the restrictions, which have been in place since July, had driven prices up "because Welsh farmers are all buying stock in Wales".
Movement of livestock from England into Wales is still restricted without a negative test, as is transporting unvaccinated animals across the border.
Markets in England would have to hold dedicated sales of vaccinated Welsh-only livestock and adhere to strict conditions.
The Welsh government said the aim is to prevent the virus spreading, but people in the farming industry warned it could be "catastrophic" for cross-border trade.
Vaccine scepticism affecting bluetongue jab uptake
Ancient Welsh cattle breed at risk of dying out
The virus presents no threat to food safety or human health but can be fatal for livestock - there have been some cases in England, but none in Wales this year.
Since 1 July the UK government has designated England a restricted zone, meaning livestock from there cannot come into Wales.
Mr Thomas, who has a farm in Machynlleth, Powys, used to buy cattle from Shropshire in England but said that has changed significantly in the past six weeks.
"I've had to buy in Wales but prices have risen because Welsh farmers are all buying stock in Wales."
The Welsh government said vaccination was the best way of protecting livestock, but only a very small percentage of livestock have been vaccinated.
As well as the conditions for animals travelling into England, from Monday any livestock returning to Wales from market must come back on the same day they left.
This means they will not be subjected to any pre or post-movement testing, when conditions have been met.
Markets in England within the permitted travel range are in Bishops Castle, Hereford, Kington, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Ross-on-Wye and Shrewsbury.
Phil Thomas, a vet in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, said the move was a way of trying to help livestock trading while managing the risk of the virus spreading.
"There's costs, whichever way we look at this - there's costs of the disease and also costs on trade restrictions.
"This is one way of reducing those costs, by taking the animals to recognised sales, albeit with extra precautions."
He added that the move opens up trade in a "risk-evaluated way".
"There is a slightly increased risk of this movement, but because the stock have been vaccinated and that they originated in Wales, and that they've only been in the market for a day, then that risk is very small."
Helen Roberts, of the National Sheep Association (NSA) in Wales, said only 43,000 sheep have been vaccinated, but there was still time for farmers to protect their animals "for the busy autumn period and what might be the worst time of the year for exposure to BTV depending on the weather conditions".
She welcomed the easing of travel rules but encouraged producers to look at the "vaccination status of the animals".
Dr Irvine said that following a review of bluetongue policy, it was agreed to make phased changes to facilitate autumn sales to balance industry needs against the risk of the disease coming into Wales.
He added that further changes - including making sales of breeding stock easier at "bluetongue-approved markets" in Wales - were being considered.
These could sell BTV-3 vaccinated livestock from England and Wales and markets can apply to get this status from mid-September.
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19 hours ago
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Deadly livestock virus travel restrictions to ease
Bluetongue virus restrictions in Wales will be eased, allowing vaccinated livestock to be taken across the border to markets in England. From Monday, livestock with a completed course of bluetongue vaccination (BTV-3) can be taken to markets within 12 miles (20km) of the Welsh border. Wales' chief vet Richard Irvine said bluetongue - a virus transmitted by midge bites that affects cattle, sheep and goats - was "a potentially devastating disease". Farmer Ryan Thomas said the restrictions, which have been in place since July, had driven prices up "because Welsh farmers are all buying stock in Wales". Movement of livestock from England into Wales is still restricted without a negative test, as is transporting unvaccinated animals across the border. Markets in England would have to hold dedicated sales of vaccinated Welsh-only livestock and adhere to strict conditions. The Welsh government said the aim is to prevent the virus spreading, but people in the farming industry warned it could be "catastrophic" for cross-border trade. Vaccine scepticism affecting bluetongue jab uptake Ancient Welsh cattle breed at risk of dying out The virus presents no threat to food safety or human health but can be fatal for livestock - there have been some cases in England, but none in Wales this year. Since 1 July the UK government has designated England a restricted zone, meaning livestock from there cannot come into Wales. Mr Thomas, who has a farm in Machynlleth, Powys, used to buy cattle from Shropshire in England but said that has changed significantly in the past six weeks. "I've had to buy in Wales but prices have risen because Welsh farmers are all buying stock in Wales." The Welsh government said vaccination was the best way of protecting livestock, but only a very small percentage of livestock have been vaccinated. As well as the conditions for animals travelling into England, from Monday any livestock returning to Wales from market must come back on the same day they left. This means they will not be subjected to any pre or post-movement testing, when conditions have been met. Markets in England within the permitted travel range are in Bishops Castle, Hereford, Kington, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Ross-on-Wye and Shrewsbury. Phil Thomas, a vet in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, said the move was a way of trying to help livestock trading while managing the risk of the virus spreading. "There's costs, whichever way we look at this - there's costs of the disease and also costs on trade restrictions. "This is one way of reducing those costs, by taking the animals to recognised sales, albeit with extra precautions." He added that the move opens up trade in a "risk-evaluated way". "There is a slightly increased risk of this movement, but because the stock have been vaccinated and that they originated in Wales, and that they've only been in the market for a day, then that risk is very small." Helen Roberts, of the National Sheep Association (NSA) in Wales, said only 43,000 sheep have been vaccinated, but there was still time for farmers to protect their animals "for the busy autumn period and what might be the worst time of the year for exposure to BTV depending on the weather conditions". She welcomed the easing of travel rules but encouraged producers to look at the "vaccination status of the animals". Dr Irvine said that following a review of bluetongue policy, it was agreed to make phased changes to facilitate autumn sales to balance industry needs against the risk of the disease coming into Wales. He added that further changes - including making sales of breeding stock easier at "bluetongue-approved markets" in Wales - were being considered. These could sell BTV-3 vaccinated livestock from England and Wales and markets can apply to get this status from mid-September. Related stories I care for 106 farm animals by day, and people by night Plans to reintroduce 'Pigs Village' Welsh name to Northop Hall
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Cash cards to pay for gluten-free food in UK first
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People in Wales who cannot eat gluten will be given debit-style cards preloaded with money to help pay for their food. The UK-first move, which begins later this year, will be an alternative to the current system where those with conditions such as coeliac disease - which affects about one in 100 people - get food on prescription from the pharmacy. Coeliac Cherylee Barker, 54, from Narberth, Pembrokeshire, took part in a pilot scheme and got £14 a month, which she said "scratches the surface of the cost". A Coeliac UK report said a gluten free diet added 35% to food bills and Health Minister Jeremy Miles said the Welsh government wanted to "de-medicalise the supply of gluten-free foods". The new card will work like a chip and Pin bank card and be taken in most places that sell gluten-free food, including supermarkets, shops, community pharmacies and online stores, according to the Welsh government. It would not say how much people will be given - just that it will vary by person and be regularly reviewed - or how much would be spent on the scheme. Ministers anticipate it will be "cost neutral" and not add any more to the NHS budget. The prescription model will still be available in Wales, which is similar to schemes in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. High cost of gluten-free food labelled 'unfair' Call for better coeliac care after Weetabix death Coeliac patients may lose gluten-free prescription Those with coeliac disease cannot eat gluten as their immune system attacks their own tissues and their body cannot properly take in nutrients. It results in symptoms including bloating, vomiting and diarrhoea. There is also an added cost . with gluten-free food more expensive Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons, the four leading supermarkets. The average price of a own brand loaf of bread was 63p, compared with £2.26 for a gluten-free equivalent. Supermarket penne pasta averaged 56p per 500g whereas the lowest gluten-free option averaged £1.22. Ms Barker has been part of the pilot scheme in the Hywel Dda health board area for the past five years. She gets £42 every three months, which equates to £14 a month, and described the previous prescription system as "slightly embarrassing" and the food "not that edible". She said: "I didn't want to take the money from the NHS. I thought 'just suck it up and see' but after a little while I just found it was just becoming more and more expensive. "It isn't a lifestyle choice, it is a need." Despite saying the card was "fantastic" she said the amount she got was only "scratching the surface" of rising costs for everybody, especially coeliacs. Bethan Williams, 24, from Cardiff, said prescriptions did not work for her as the food was low quality. As a vegetarian, she said the cash cards could give people with additional dietary needs the freedom to make healthy choices. "I am in a good position that I can afford the higher quality bread but that is not the case for all people," she said. "Eating food and being able to eat a balanced diet isn't a privilege, it's something everyone should be entitled to." For businesses such as Plumvanilla Cafe and deli in Narberth, which accepts the cash card, making sure they can serve the community's needs is becoming more necessary. Gemma Beere, who works at the cafe, said: "We've noticed more and more people shopping with gluten-free requirements so we like to keep a big stock." But she added it was a challenge balancing stocking the shelves with the high cost items and making sure nothing goes to waste. Miles said the move would cut "administrative burdens on GPs and pharmacies". He added: "For people living with coeliac disease, following a strict gluten-free diet is not a lifestyle choice but a medical necessity. "We want to de-medicalise the supply of gluten-free foods in Wales, giving people more freedom to access the food they want to eat, more conveniently, to help them to manage their condition." Tristen Humphreys from Coeliac UK said: "We need to recognise that a gluten-free diet is the treatment for coeliac disease, it's a serious autoimmune disease not a lifestyle choice – we want that recognised." He added supporting people's diets would help prevent health complications down the line and was "cost efficient" for the NHS and called on other UK nations to follow suit. Additional reporting by Sara Dafydd
