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Farmers urged to 'stay vigilant' Animal movement breaches inquiry
(about 2 hours later)
Farmers across Wales are being urged to stay vigilant after a second case of foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed at a farm in Surrey. Council in Wales are investigating two possible breaches on moving livestock during a strict ban as a second case of foot-and-mouth is confirmed in Surrey.
Pembrokeshire Council said a farmer who broke a strict ban on moving livestock could face legal action.
And officials in Wrexham said they were investigating an alleged breach of livestock movement restrictions. They are working with Derbyshire Council.
Restrictions on the transportation of animals were imposed last Friday.
In Wales, almost 10 million cows, sheep and pigs are affected by the UK-wide ban on movement of livestock.In Wales, almost 10 million cows, sheep and pigs are affected by the UK-wide ban on movement of livestock.
Farmers are already suffering as markets have closed, abattoir workers laid off and annual shows cancelled. Farmers - who are being urged to stay vigilant to continue bio security measures - have said they are already suffering as markets have closed, abattoir workers laid off and annual shows cancelled.
Meanwhile, a farmer who broke a strict ban on moving livestock could face legal action by Pembrokeshire council.
A spokesman said the farmer, who has not been named, was found illegally moving livestock by animal health and welfare inspectors.
The restriction s - which could lose up to £2m a week in Wales along - were imposed last Friday.
Wales' Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Christianne Glossop said she was now focussing on getting animals moving to slaughter.Wales' Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Christianne Glossop said she was now focussing on getting animals moving to slaughter.
ADVICE FOR FARMERS Defra Helpline: 0845 9335577Animal Health Offices - Caernarfon: 01286 674144 Carmarthen: 01267 245400; 07000 780144 (eve)Cardiff: 029 20 768500 Welsh assembly websiteADVICE FOR FARMERS Defra Helpline: 0845 9335577Animal Health Offices - Caernarfon: 01286 674144 Carmarthen: 01267 245400; 07000 780144 (eve)Cardiff: 029 20 768500 Welsh assembly website
"In the next 48 hours, I would hope we would have measures in place to facilitate that," she said, although she would not put a date on when this could happen."In the next 48 hours, I would hope we would have measures in place to facilitate that," she said, although she would not put a date on when this could happen.
"I don't want to make any predictions because we are watching an unfolding disease picture, but I would hope we could do that as soon as possible."I don't want to make any predictions because we are watching an unfolding disease picture, but I would hope we could do that as soon as possible.
"We have got to do it very carefully to make sure we do not raise the level of risk in terms of disease spread.""We have got to do it very carefully to make sure we do not raise the level of risk in terms of disease spread."
Dr Glossop said attention was focussed on Surrey but a number of cases of possible foot-and-mouth disease were being reported in other parts of the UK.Dr Glossop said attention was focussed on Surrey but a number of cases of possible foot-and-mouth disease were being reported in other parts of the UK.
"We are appealing to farmers to report any suspicious signs to animal health as soon as possible," she added."We are appealing to farmers to report any suspicious signs to animal health as soon as possible," she added.
Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said the countryside was open for business, but farmers were taking all the necessary precautions. Meanwhile, Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said the countryside was otherwise open for business.
"We're very aware that there's no sign of anything in Wales and that they [farmers] would like to get back to normal as soon as the professional and medical advice says that's safe to do," he said."We're very aware that there's no sign of anything in Wales and that they [farmers] would like to get back to normal as soon as the professional and medical advice says that's safe to do," he said.
However, he warned against any action before the spread of the disease was known.However, he warned against any action before the spread of the disease was known.
"The worst thing to do would be to do something pre-emptively and prematurely and then be sorry afterwards," he added."The worst thing to do would be to do something pre-emptively and prematurely and then be sorry afterwards," he added.
On Monday, Wales' Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones met leaders from farming, tourism and animal welfare organisations to discuss their joint response to the outbreak.On Monday, Wales' Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones met leaders from farming, tourism and animal welfare organisations to discuss their joint response to the outbreak.
Ms Jones said she was "heartened" to see the farming industry's response to the case and wanted to work together to minimise the impact on the rural economy.Ms Jones said she was "heartened" to see the farming industry's response to the case and wanted to work together to minimise the impact on the rural economy.
Politicians are keen to stress the countryside is openPoliticians are keen to stress the countryside is open
"The immediate priority is to contain the spread of disease but we are constantly developing our response as the situation unfolds and are ready to act quickly," she said."The immediate priority is to contain the spread of disease but we are constantly developing our response as the situation unfolds and are ready to act quickly," she said.
"It is vitally important that farmers and others continue to maintain strict bio security.""It is vitally important that farmers and others continue to maintain strict bio security."
First Minister Rhodri Morgan has said the assembly government was "working very closely with Defra and other bodies".First Minister Rhodri Morgan has said the assembly government was "working very closely with Defra and other bodies".
The ban on moving cows, sheep and pigs means farmers are not able to sell any livestock or take them to abattoirs and workers at two abattoirs on Anglesey and in Gwynedd have been temporarily laid off.The ban on moving cows, sheep and pigs means farmers are not able to sell any livestock or take them to abattoirs and workers at two abattoirs on Anglesey and in Gwynedd have been temporarily laid off.