No air pollution threat from pyres

The Epynt protesters are worried about long-term effects of burning

Environmental experts have confirmed that air quality at the Epynt ranges in mid Wales has not been harmed by carcasses being burned during the foot-and-mouth crisis.

But further monitoring will have to be carried out because tests were carried out before a second pyre was lit and the quantities of bodies being burned increased.

A lot of fears have been alleviated, but we will continue to monitor for a good while yet

Edwin Roderick, Epynt protest chairman

On Wednesday - when a new case was confirmed in Abercynon, in the south Wales Valleys, tests carried out by the Environment Agency following public concerns revealed that no air quality standards have been breached.

The Agency tested the site on behalf of Powys Council, monitoring sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen.

A mobile monitoring station was set up 2km from the site between 2 April and 20 April - before a second pyre in the burial pit was set alight.

The county councils of Powys and Carmarthenshire have now arranged for more monitoring to produce a clearer picture.

Crisis in Wales

Total confirmed cases UK-wide 1,439 - with 80 in Wales

Powys - 49 cases

Anglesey - 13 cases

Monmouthshire - 15 cases

Caerphilly 1

Neath Port Talbot -1

Rhondda Cynon Taff - 1

Meanwhile protesters from the Epynt who met with Agriculture Minister Carwyn Jones on Wednesday to discuss the test results have said they still have many concerns about the site.

Protest group chairman Edwin Roderick said that while the current level of monitoring was satisfactory, it should have started earlier.

After meeting with Mr Jones, he said :"A lot of fears have been alleviated, but we will continue to monitor for a good while yet."

Local people are concerned about the possible long-term effects at the site, particularly affecting lambs and grassland.

As worries over the disposal of animals continued, Assembly Members were told on Tuesday that so far 57,000 livestock had been culled - but that more than 200,000 animals still awaited slaughter on welfare grounds.

The Intervention Board which is managing the scheme has said the backlog of welfare cull animals could take up to three weeks to clear.