Farmers brace for impact of new bluetongue border rules

MPs on either side of the England-Wales border have warned that new restrictions on livestock movement will be “catastrophic” for trade that many local farmers rely on.

Helen Morgan and David Chadwick - Liberal Democrat MPs for North Shropshire and Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe – have joined forces to call on the UK and Welsh governments to work together to implement “consistent, common-sense policies that protect the welfare of animals and the livelihood of farmers”.

It comes after the Welsh government announced changes from 1 July that will force any cattle, sheep and goats to test negative for the bluetongue virus before being transported from England into Wales.

Even fully vaccinated livestock will be blocked from crossing into Wales, with farmers forced to fork out £70 per test.

This is despite the virus being carried by midges, there being no visible border between England and Wales and hundreds of farms operating land on both sides of the border.

Helen and David both raised the issue with the Government in the House of Commons on Thursday and have now written to EFRA Secretary Steve Reed calling on him to work at pace with the Welsh Government to develop a co-ordinated approach “so that farmers can be given the clarity and consistency they need”.

The MPs warned that the cost of testing “is a devastating burden our local farmers cannot afford to take on at a time they are already under such significant financial pressure”.

They also highlighted concerns that the Animal and Plant Health Agency lacks the capacity to test every animal crossing the border and that livestock markets on both sides of the border would suffer as a result.

Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire, said, “Farmers in Shropshire are already under intense pressure and now they are being forced to fork out because two Labour Governments are not working together.

“This is the latest in a long list of blows delivered to farmers by Ministers who clearly do not understand how agriculture works.

“The Governments in Westminster and Cardiff must work together to support farmers on both sides of the border and give them the clarity and consistency they need.”

David Chadwick, Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, said, “550 farms in Powys cross the England-Wales border and thousands more farmers are reliant on cross-border trade.

“Farmers simply cannot afford the costs this policy will inflict on them.

“They are fed up of being taken for granted by governments in London and Wales.

“It’s time we saw solutions and support from Ministers instead of blow after blow to agricultural businesses.”