Welsh government decision to cost meat and livestock businesses millions
This week saw a decision by the Welsh Government which confounds logic and will cost Welsh farmers millions by severely disrupting animal movements between England and Wales. Despite concerted opposition from the whole Welsh meat and livestock industry, and ignoring the commercial concerns raised, the First Minister ruled to maintain the Restricted Zone approach. This is instead of aligning with England which has moved to a whole-country approach that acknowledges the challenges and costs associated with controlling the spread of the blue tongue virus.
Nick Allen, CEO of the British Meat Processors Association attended the round table held this week and had this to say: "This is a disappointing decision that will certainly put abattoirs in Wales at a commercial disadvantage. However our challenges will be nothing compared to the disruption and cost that the whole livestock sector in Wales will endure." It should also be noted that the level of pre-movement testing (which can cost up to £70 per animal) will overwhelm the Pirbright Institute, which carries out these tests.
At the round table, the majority of arguments against the Restricted Zone approach - which severely limits animal movements and abattoir operations - were put forward by the very farmers and meat businesses that will be affected. On the other side were two private vet businesses and a veterinary trade body arguing to keep the zonal restrictions.
Commenting on the proceedings, Nick Allen said: "Once again the farming sector does not seem to have been listened to. We understand the difficulty of this decision and hope that it will be reviewed as soon as the situation changes. Keeping a midge borne disease at bay is extremely challenging for everyone and will stretch resources in every direction and we hope the Welsh government will support the sector in every way possible having made this decision. We agree that vaccination should be encouraged widely, it was the only way the outbreak in 2007 was arrested and it will probably be the main way this outbreak will be controlled." It's worth noting that the French government is currently paying for a vaccination program to control the outbreak there.