Farm outbreak restrictions lifted

Restrictions were put in place in August after the outbreak in Surrey

The assembly government has announced that restrictions on animal movements in Wales following the foot-and-mouth outbreak have been lifted.

Movements of livestock are now the same as they were before the first outbreak in Surrey on 3 August.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) Cymru welcomed the news but warned that the after-effects of the two outbreaks were continuing to "wreak havoc".

It also called for the current conditions on EU exports to be eased.

Making the announcement, Rural Affairs minister Elin Jones said she hoped the lifting of the restrictions would mean the farming industry could begin to get back to normality after an "extremely difficult period".

I ask the industry to remain vigilant and maintain high levels of biosecurity Elin Jones, Rural Affairs minister

She also thanked farmers for their co-operation but warned: "While restrictions are now to be lifted, it does not mean that we can afford to be complacent and I ask the industry to remain vigilant and maintain high levels of biosecurity," she said.

Dai Davies, NFU Cymru president, also called for the current conditions on meat exports into Europe to be lifted, describing them as "extremely difficult" for farmers.

Under the conditions, animals must have been kept on the same holding for 30 days before slaughter, and no livestock can be brought in for 21 days before slaughter.

The foot-and-mouth disease surveillance zone in Surrey and bluetongue protection zone in south east England remain in place.

Meanwhile, Mr Davies reiterated claims that the UK government should provide aid to Welsh farmers hit by the movement restrictions.

A row over government aid for farmers in Wales and Scotland erupted last week after the UK Environment Secretary Hilary Benn announced money from his Defra budget for England.

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.