Livestock markets to open again

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Livestock markets, banned since the latest foot-and-mouth outbreak in the south of England, will be able to reopen in Wales from next Thursday.

It means all stock can be taken to market - not just animals for slaughter as is the case currently.

Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said the markets will be subject to strict licensing and biosecurity conditions.

FUW President Gareth Vaughan welcomed the move as "a very important step for the farming industry".

He said they had been told by the minister that vets will also have to be present at the markets to inspect stock as they arrive.

"If there are no more cases of foot-and-mouth in the next few days then we can look forward to some kind of normality," said Mr Vaughan.

My priority remains keeping foot-and-mouth disease out of Wale Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones

The move to allow livestock markets again was not "a return to normality" but gave farmers greater flexibility and freedom, Ms Jones said.

As long as there are no further changes in the disease situation, she said livestock markets will reopen in Wales on 4 October.

Unsold stock will also be allowed to return to the farm but that farm will then be subject to a 20-day standstill period

Ms Jones said the decision to allow markets once again follows further epidemiological studies.

Be vigilant

But she warned: "This proposal must be underpinned by a genuine acceptance by all those involved in livestock farming and marketing of their individual and collective responsibilities to follow the rules.

The minister added: "I would urge everyone to continue to be vigilant and maintain a high standard of biosecurity.

"My priority remains keeping foot-and-mouth disease out of Wales and both vigilance and biosecurity will help us to do that."

Defra has also announced that livestock can be taken to markets in the Low Risk Area in England from 4 October subject to stringent biosecurity measures.

Earlier this week the assembly government announced animals in Wales could be moved from farm-to-farm.