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| Talks held on foot-and-mouth aid | Talks held on foot-and-mouth aid |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Farming leaders in Wales have met the rural affairs minister to discuss concerns about aid in the aftermath of the foot-and-mouth outbreak. | |
| A draft statement prepared for the UK Environment Secretary Hilary Benn had earmarked £6.5m for livestock farmers hit by movement restrictions. | A draft statement prepared for the UK Environment Secretary Hilary Benn had earmarked £6.5m for livestock farmers hit by movement restrictions. |
| But Mr Benn has now said money from the Defra budget will only help the English farming industry. | But Mr Benn has now said money from the Defra budget will only help the English farming industry. |
| The Welsh Assembly Government has said it will continue to push for the money. | The Welsh Assembly Government has said it will continue to push for the money. |
| Members across the region can be assured that their concerns will be reported to the minister Arthur Roberts, FUW | Members across the region can be assured that their concerns will be reported to the minister Arthur Roberts, FUW |
| The meeting took place in Ruthin, Denbighshire with concerns regarding livestock restrictions, exports, prices and aid among the issues on the agenda. | |
| Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW's) chairman in Denbighshire Arthur Roberts said before the meeting: "We welcome the minister's presence in north Wales to listen to our concerns as an industry during this difficult time. | |
| "Members across the region can be assured that their concerns will be reported to the minister." | "Members across the region can be assured that their concerns will be reported to the minister." |
| Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones has called the UK Government's decision over the package of support to the industry as "disappointing". | Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones has called the UK Government's decision over the package of support to the industry as "disappointing". |
| She said the assembly government remained convinced the costs of foot-and-mouth should be met by Defra and the UK Treasury. | She said the assembly government remained convinced the costs of foot-and-mouth should be met by Defra and the UK Treasury. |
| "I hope the treasury will accept its responsibility towards Wales," said Ms Jones. | "I hope the treasury will accept its responsibility towards Wales," said Ms Jones. |
| Election | Election |
| But Mr Benn has told BBC Wales it is up to the devolved institutions to make their own arrangements. | But Mr Benn has told BBC Wales it is up to the devolved institutions to make their own arrangements. |
| The row had erupted earlier in the week after Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said he had seen a leaked copy of a draft statement by UK Environment Secretary Hilary Benn which agreed sums of £8.1m for Scotland and £6.5m for Wales. | The row had erupted earlier in the week after Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said he had seen a leaked copy of a draft statement by UK Environment Secretary Hilary Benn which agreed sums of £8.1m for Scotland and £6.5m for Wales. |
| Speaking at Westminster, Mr Salmond alleged that the passage was omitted from the statement delivered in the Commons on Monday, once any election had been called off. | Speaking at Westminster, Mr Salmond alleged that the passage was omitted from the statement delivered in the Commons on Monday, once any election had been called off. |
| The Scottish first minister said he had written to Gordon Brown to protest. | The Scottish first minister said he had written to Gordon Brown to protest. |
| The UK Government denied allegations that the money was withdrawn after an election was ruled out at the weekend. | The UK Government denied allegations that the money was withdrawn after an election was ruled out at the weekend. |
| Elin Jones says the money should come from the UK government | Elin Jones says the money should come from the UK government |
| Mr Benn issued a statement on Wednesday saying: "There is not a word of truth in the allegation that a possible election had anything to do with decisions on funding for the foot-and-mouth crisis, and I very much regret that this is being used in this way.'' | Mr Benn issued a statement on Wednesday saying: "There is not a word of truth in the allegation that a possible election had anything to do with decisions on funding for the foot-and-mouth crisis, and I very much regret that this is being used in this way.'' |
| He added: ''As we do not yet know what the full cost will be for all of us, we have decided that our existing budgets should carry the cost for the moment. | He added: ''As we do not yet know what the full cost will be for all of us, we have decided that our existing budgets should carry the cost for the moment. |
| "Both Defra and the devolved administrations are always able to approach the Treasury once we know what the full picture is.'' | "Both Defra and the devolved administrations are always able to approach the Treasury once we know what the full picture is.'' |
| Official reports found that the first foot-and-mouth outbreak in August originated in the Pirbright laboratory site in Surrey - a UK government facility. | Official reports found that the first foot-and-mouth outbreak in August originated in the Pirbright laboratory site in Surrey - a UK government facility. |
| Around £7m had so far been spent helping farmers affected in Wales, Ms Jones said. | Around £7m had so far been spent helping farmers affected in Wales, Ms Jones said. |
| Meat exports from Wales, Scotland and certain parts of England to Europe resumed on Friday. | Meat exports from Wales, Scotland and certain parts of England to Europe resumed on Friday. |