Million lambs face slaughter

Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Carwyn Jones has announced an extension to the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme (LWDS).

Crisis so far
Total confirmed cases UK-wide 1,989 - with 118 in Wales
Powys - 78
Anglesey - 13
Monmouthshire - 20
Caerphilly - 2
Rhondda Cynon Taff - 1
Neath Port Talbot -1
Newport - 3

The programme covers lambs that cannot be marketed and which would otherwise face severe welfare problems.

On average around two million Welsh lambs are exported every year, mainly to southern Mediterranean countries.

But this year despite the push to promote lamb consumption within the UK, the surplus of livestock cannot be absorbed into the food chain.

"The continuing ban on exports presents particular difficulties for sheep producers in Wales," said Carwyn Jones.

"The reality is that upwards of one million light lambs from Wales will not have an identifiable market outlet this autumn.

"In order to forestall the animal welfare problems, that would arise if these lambs were left on farms and the hills over winter, the LWDS has been extended to cover unmarketable light lambs."

Under the scheme, farmers will apply direct to abattoirs who will arrange the collection and culling of the lambs and pay farmers direct.

But the payment levels of just £10 per lamb has angered some farmers who believe that the rate is unfair.

Farmers' Union of Wales President Bob Parry said: "The lambs would have been worth up to about £20 to £23 on the export market.

"This is a blow to farmers because if you half the prices of the lambs there will be no incomes on the farms this year."

Although the scheme is primarily for light lambs, it will be open to all lambs born since 1 January 2001."

The programme will run from 3 September to 31 December.

Meanwhile in a separate development the government has announced changes to the restrictions on the movement of animals around Wales.

Guidelines extended

The new guidelines will apply mainly to areas free of the disease and will allow farmers to move animals for commercial as well as welfare reasons.

It means livestock can be moved in time for winter grazing and transported to other parts of the UK for slaughter or private sale.

Although some movement restrictions have eased, livestock markets will not restart immediately.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has described the announcement as an "extension rather than a relaxation of the rules".

Infected areas

It has announced that disease-free counties will be able to move livestock to other disease-free areas over a 250 mile radius, from 17 September.

At risk areas, like Anglesey in north Wales, will also be able to move cattle and pigs and blood-tested sheep to other at risk areas from the over the same radius.

High risk areas will be able to move stock within the same high risk area subject to blood tests, but will not be able to move them outside the areas.

However no movement will be allowed to or from infected areas.