Talks held on foot-and-mouth aid

Meat exports from Wales were hit by the foot-and-mouth outbreak

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.

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.

Around 40 people attended the meeting between farmers' leaders and Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones in Ruthin, Denbighshire on Saturday.

We as an union will also continue to lobby, so that funds are made available for the industry in Wales from the central government Gareth Wyn Jones, FUW

The feeling was that the lack of funds being made available from the UK government to support the industry in Wales was a "big disappointment", according to the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW).

County executive officer for Denbighshire and Flintshire, Gareth Wyn Jones said: "The meeting urged the Welsh Assembly Government and the minister to lobby the UK Government and ensure that funds are made available from the central treasury to support the industry through this difficult time.

"A number of important issues were discussed, including the export trade and a possible relaxation of the rules, therefore enabling more welsh lamb and beef to be exported.

"At present, the meeting felt the export rules are too restrictive," he said

Other issues discussed were low prices, supermarket support and promoting Welsh produce, Mr Jones said.

"The minister, we have no doubt, is fully aware of the message from the north Wales farming community, and promised to do her best and was hoping to meet with Defra minister Hilary Benn in the very near future.

"We as an union will also continue to lobby, so that funds are made available for the industry in Wales from the central government," he added.

'Responsibility'

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.

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.

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.

Elin Jones says the money should come from the UK government

The UK Government denied allegations that the money was withdrawn after an election was ruled out at the weekend.

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.

"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.

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.