Foot and Mouth Welfare Scheme Applauded - but Who Pays the Bill?

12.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 4th Oct 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Agriculture Mick Bates AM and Kirsty Williams AM have welcomed the news in the Minister's Statement that a welfare scheme for Light Lambs is being pursued.

Montgomeryshire farmer Mick Bates: "I am extremely pleased with this announcement today by the Minister for Rural Affairs that a livestock welfare disposal scheme may at last be established for farmers in Wales. I have campaigned for this scheme since the outbreaks began and it shows that pressure really does pay off.

"The effect of the outbreaks of foot and mouth since August has devastated the farming industry. Welsh farmers who rely heavily on the export market have been hit hard by the ban on trade and have been facing financial ruin at what is normally the busiest time of year for the industry.

"There is a huge backlog of lambs and although the restrictions on export will be lifted with effect from October 12th the need for a welfare scheme for small lambs is still vital. I just hope this news is not too late for many Welsh hill farmers who have suffered unnecessarily.

"My concern is that the Assembly Government should not be left to pick up the tab. The UK Government are clearly to blame for drastically ignoring basic biosecurity safeguards at Pirbright. They must accept responsibility now and show their support by providing urgent funding for the scheme to help farmers across Wales."

Kirsty Williams, who represents the largest rural constituency in Wales; "This is good news has been long awaited by farmers and whilst I applaud the Minister for putting the scheme in place I have reservations about the costs the delay in doing so will have on farmers.

"As well as financial support it is vital that the farming community receives psychological support for the despairing situations many of them find themselves in."

Commenting on the Minister's statement that "If no GB funding is available, then the costs will be met by the Welsh Assembly Government from non-agricultural budgets" Kirsty Williams said: "The Minister must continue to seek negotiations with the Government in Westminster for fiscal contributions to a welfare scheme as the responsibility for the outbreak appears to lie clearly at their feet and the people of Wales should not be left to pick up the bill."

End / Diwedd