Ann Davies MP calls for compensation for losses from bluetongue disease restrictions
Bluetongue restrictions in Wales and England will ‘hamper cross-border trade’ - Plaid Cymru
During PMQs today (Wednesday 18 June) Plaid Cymru’s Rural Affairs Spokesperson, Ann Davies MP, urged the UK Government to commit to working with the Welsh Government on a scheme to compensate farming businesses for losses from the bluetongue restrictions.
Bluetongue disease is a non-contagious viral disease that primarily affects sheep, cattle and goats.
Last week, the Welsh Government said it would introduce limits on moving livestock from June 20, 2025 and that any susceptible animals moving from a bluetongue restricted zone to Wales to live, will require a specific movement licence and testing beforehand.
A restricted zone (RZ) in England - limiting the movement of animals - has continued to expand over recent months as the disease has spread.
From 1 July, the UK Government has decided to designate the whole of England as an RZ, external, which in practice means movement controls are lifted as the focus shifts to encouraging uptake of new bluetongue vaccines which alleviate the symptoms.
The Caerfyrddin MP emphasized that Welsh farmers have taken “hit after hit” and now risk being further affected by restrictions to cross-border trading as a result of the outbreak of the bluetongue disease.
Ms Davies explained that key livestock markets and over 550 farms on the border rely on summer trading.
The Royal Welsh Show has already banned livestock from England from this year's event following the spread of the virus. Ann Davies MP has warned that disruption to once-a-year opportunities like this could be “devastating” and has called for the establishment of a compensation scheme to mitigate the effects on farming businesses.
Speaking in PMQs, Ann Davies MP said:
“Welsh farmers are taking hit after hit – from Tory trade deals to Labour taxes, now on top of that, bluetongue restrictions affecting Wales and England will hamper cross-border trade.
“Over 550 farms on the border and key livestock markets rely on summer trading. Once-a-year opportunities like the Royal Welsh Show are crucial, and the disruption could be devastating.
“Will the Deputy Prime Minister commit to working with the Welsh Government on a scheme to compensate for losses?”
Angela Rayner MP, the Deputy Prime Minister, who was standing in for the PM today avoided the question and instead attacked Plaid Cymru for voting against the Welsh Government budget.
When asking the Welsh Government’s Rural Affairs Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies MS yesterday in the Senedd, Ms Davies’ Plaid Cymru counterpart, Llyr Gruffudd MS said:
“You’ve explained to us that part of this rationale is to buy time but I have to say: where have you been? We’ve known for months and months, if not years, that bluetongue is on its way.”
“I really fear that your decision and your policy decision this week will bring even more worry, even more disruption and even more concern in its wake.”
“It’s going to disrupt the functionality of the whole agricultural ecosystem and that in itself could be more damaging than dealing with bluetongue.”
“Have you calculated the projected cost to the industry of this proposal that you’re bringing forward, and if you have, what support is being considered to offset some of that burden?”