Latest news with #Welsh-only
Wales Online
a day ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Welsh farmers given boost after deadly disease outbreak
Welsh farmers given boost after deadly disease outbreak Movement of livestock from England into Wales is still restricted without a negative test Bluetongue virus restrictions in Wales are set to be relaxed permitting vaccinated livestock to cross the border for sale at English markets. From Monday livestock that have completed their bluetongue vaccination course (BTV-3) will be allowed to travel to markets within 12 miles (20km) of the Welsh border. Wales' chief veterinary officer Richard Irvine described bluetongue, a virus spread through midge bites that affects cattle, sheep, and goats, as "a potentially devastating disease". Bluetongue is a viral disease that causes ulcers around the animal's mouth and face. Mr Irvine continued: "As part of keeping our commitment to review of our bluetongue policy we have held regular stakeholder discussions. "From these a phased approach to facilitate autumn sales has been agreed that balances industry needs against the risk of disease incursion. "It is important that we all recognise the implicit and cumulative risk in progressively removing livestock restrictions and the balance that must be struck between the ability to trade and the increased risk of disease incursion. Article continues below "Through discussions the industry also fully recognises their responsibilities, including the need to ensure compliance with the requirements to attend sales and markets, the fundamental role of bluetongue vaccination – and the shared risk and consequences should bluetongue enter Wales. "With the autumn sales approaching we are considering further adjustments to our policy including facilitating breeding sales at bluetongue-approved green markets located in Wales for the sale of BTV-3 vaccinated livestock from England and Wales. "These sales will be able to apply to become bluetongue-approved green markets from mid-September." The movement of livestock from England into Wales remains restricted without a negative test as does transporting unvaccinated animals across the border. English markets would need to organise separate sales exclusively for vaccinated Welsh livestock and comply with stringent conditions. The Welsh Government stated the objective was to halt the virus' spread but those within the farming sector cautioned it could prove "catastrophic" for cross-border commerce. Markets eligible to hold dedicated sales of vaccinated Welsh-only livestock include Bishops Castle, Hereford, Kington, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Ross-on-Wye, and Shrewsbury and they must adhere to specific conditions. Animals attending these markets and returning to Wales must also complete the movement within the same day and are subject to the conditions of a general licence. Animals cannot remain at the market overnight and these animals will not be subject to any pre- or post-movement testing requirements where all conditions have been met. Article continues below Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice .
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
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
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Farmers allowed to take livestock to England as Bluetongue virus rules ease
Bluetongue virus restrictions in Wales will be eased, allowing vaccinated livestock to be taken across the border to markets in Monday, livestock with a completed course of bluetongue vaccination (BTV-3) can be taken to markets within 12 miles (20km) of the Welsh 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 in England would have to hold dedicated sales of vaccinated Welsh-only livestock and adhere to strict 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. 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 1 July the UK government has designated England a restricted zone, meaning livestock from there cannot come into 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 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 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 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 added that further changes - including making sales of breeding stock easier at "bluetongue-approved markets" in Wales - were being could sell BTV-3 vaccinated livestock from England and Wales and markets can apply to get this status from mid-September.
Western Telegraph
2 days ago
- Health
- Western Telegraph
Check you know the bluetongue rules for livestock sales
From then, Welsh livestock that have completed a course of a bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccination, are able to attend English markets within 20km of the Welsh border. Markets eligible to hold dedicated sales of vaccinated, Welsh-only livestock include Bishops Castle, Hereford, Kington, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Ross-on-Wye and Shrewsbury, and must adhere to specific conditions. Animals attending these markets and returning to Wales must also complete the movement within the same day and are subject to the conditions of a general licence. Animals cannot remain at the market overnight and these animals will not be subject to any pre- or post-movement testing requirements where all conditions have been met. Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Richard Irvine said: "Bluetongue is a potentially devastating disease, as has unfortunately been seen in other countries. "As part of keeping our commitment to review of our bluetongue policy, we have held regular stakeholder discussions. "From these, a phased approach to facilitate autumn sales has been agreed that balances industry needs against the risk of disease incursion. "It is important that we all recognise the implicit, and cumulative risk in progressively removing livestock restrictions, and the balance that must be struck between the ability to trade and the increased risk of disease incursion. "Through discussions the industry also fully recognises their responsibilities, including the need to ensure compliance with the requirements to attend sales and markets, the fundamental role of bluetongue vaccination – and the shared risk and consequences should bluetongue enter Wales. "With the autumn sales approaching, we are considering further adjustments to our policy, including facilitating breeding sales at 'Bluetongue Approved Green Markets' located in Wales for the sale of BTV-3 vaccinated livestock from England and Wales. These sales will be able to apply to become 'Bluetongue Approved Green Markets' from mid-September.
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
Check you know the bluetongue rules for livestock sales
From then, Welsh livestock that have completed a course of a bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccination, are able to attend English markets within 20km of the Welsh border. Markets eligible to hold dedicated sales of vaccinated, Welsh-only livestock include Bishops Castle, Hereford, Kington, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Ross-on-Wye and Shrewsbury, and must adhere to specific conditions. Animals attending these markets and returning to Wales must also complete the movement within the same day and are subject to the conditions of a general licence. Animals cannot remain at the market overnight and these animals will not be subject to any pre- or post-movement testing requirements where all conditions have been met. Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Richard Irvine said: "Bluetongue is a potentially devastating disease, as has unfortunately been seen in other countries. "As part of keeping our commitment to review of our bluetongue policy, we have held regular stakeholder discussions. "From these, a phased approach to facilitate autumn sales has been agreed that balances industry needs against the risk of disease incursion. "It is important that we all recognise the implicit, and cumulative risk in progressively removing livestock restrictions, and the balance that must be struck between the ability to trade and the increased risk of disease incursion. "Through discussions the industry also fully recognises their responsibilities, including the need to ensure compliance with the requirements to attend sales and markets, the fundamental role of bluetongue vaccination – and the shared risk and consequences should bluetongue enter Wales. "With the autumn sales approaching, we are considering further adjustments to our policy, including facilitating breeding sales at 'Bluetongue Approved Green Markets' located in Wales for the sale of BTV-3 vaccinated livestock from England and Wales. These sales will be able to apply to become 'Bluetongue Approved Green Markets' from mid-September.
