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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Ban on animal movement is lifted | Ban on animal movement is lifted |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| General restrictions on animal movements imposed in Wales because of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak have been lifted. | |
| This follows the European Commission's decision to lift the ban on UK meat and animal products from Saturday. | This follows the European Commission's decision to lift the ban on UK meat and animal products from Saturday. |
| Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said she welcomed the development but still urged vigilance against the disease. | Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said she welcomed the development but still urged vigilance against the disease. |
| Ms Jones said she would be replacing the restrictions with a "modified and more flexible approach". | Ms Jones said she would be replacing the restrictions with a "modified and more flexible approach". |
| "I no longer consider it is proportionate to retain all the movement controls that have been imposed as a direct result of the disease outbreak in Surrey," she said. | "I no longer consider it is proportionate to retain all the movement controls that have been imposed as a direct result of the disease outbreak in Surrey," she said. |
| "This change sends an important signal on progress to a return to normal trading and business within the farming community but we are not there yet. | "This change sends an important signal on progress to a return to normal trading and business within the farming community but we are not there yet. |
| "We must maintain vigilance and high levels of biosecurity." | "We must maintain vigilance and high levels of biosecurity." |
| However, Ms Jones stressed some restrictions in animal movement would remain in place. | However, Ms Jones stressed some restrictions in animal movement would remain in place. |
| Elin Jones has announced a further relaxing of movements | Elin Jones has announced a further relaxing of movements |
| She said there would be "freedom for farmers within their own farm to move susceptible animals for any reason up to a distance of 8 kilometres. | She said there would be "freedom for farmers within their own farm to move susceptible animals for any reason up to a distance of 8 kilometres. |
| "Other movements, again for any reason, will be permitted for susceptible animals but when moved these animals will be subject to a 20 day standstill at the farm of arrival. | "Other movements, again for any reason, will be permitted for susceptible animals but when moved these animals will be subject to a 20 day standstill at the farm of arrival. |
| "This will also apply to other susceptible animals on that farm," Ms Jones said. | "This will also apply to other susceptible animals on that farm," Ms Jones said. |
| She added the current prohibition applying to gatherings, shows and sales would remain in place except for movement to slaughter through a collection centre or dedicated red market. | She added the current prohibition applying to gatherings, shows and sales would remain in place except for movement to slaughter through a collection centre or dedicated red market. |
| Earlier on Thursday Ms Jones had welcomed the EU's approval for the resumption of meat and animal product exports to EU countries from Saturday. | Earlier on Thursday Ms Jones had welcomed the EU's approval for the resumption of meat and animal product exports to EU countries from Saturday. |
| She said: "The re-opening of the EU market for Welsh farm produce, particularly for lamb, is a vital to the economic well-being of the Welsh livestock industry". | She said: "The re-opening of the EU market for Welsh farm produce, particularly for lamb, is a vital to the economic well-being of the Welsh livestock industry". |
| NFU Cymru president Dai Davies said the move should give a "booster" to trade. | NFU Cymru president Dai Davies said the move should give a "booster" to trade. |
| "We hope this is the first significant step in enabling us to get back to normality," he said. | "We hope this is the first significant step in enabling us to get back to normality," he said. |
| Announcing its decision to approve the resumption of exports on Thursday, EU Commission spokesman Philip Tod praised the "swift action" of the British authorities in the outbreak. | Announcing its decision to approve the resumption of exports on Thursday, EU Commission spokesman Philip Tod praised the "swift action" of the British authorities in the outbreak. |
| But the ban will continue in the 10km (6.2 miles) zone around the Surrey farms at the centre of the outbreak. | But the ban will continue in the 10km (6.2 miles) zone around the Surrey farms at the centre of the outbreak. |