Relax the 6 day movement and on farm burial rules – Williams

Brecon and Radnorshire MP Roger Williams used yesterdays DEFERA Questions today to urge the Government to relax its rules on 6 day movement of livestock in line with scientific understanding.

Speaking in the house, Roger asked the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs “The six-day movement rule and the ban on on-farm burial are particularly burdensome to livestock farmers. Since their introduction the scientific understanding of these matters has moved on. Will the Minister commission a scientific review of the regulations with a view to their relaxation?”

Commenting, Mr Williams said:

“Our scientific knowledge has advanced and we know that sheep do not carry the BSE prion that causes nCJD. The ban was introduced at a time when it was thought that sheep did carry this prion so we now need to address this situation.

“The independent Macdonald Report recommends livestock movements should be simplified in a way that reduces burdens without compromising the risk of animal disease spread. I was encouraged by DEFRA’s response who will be responding to the MacDonald Report in the new year.”