Archive - Wednesday, 29 January 2003


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Good news says NFU

FARMERS and farm organisations have welcomed the decision to end the 20-day whole farm standstill rule.

Effective from March 4, that will be reduced to six days, except for pigs.

The National Farmers' Union recently organised protests at Leeds and Newcastle and representatives met with the Government's divisional veterinary managers to highlight the damaging effect of the 20-day standstill on farm businesses.

NFU deputy president Tim Bennett said: "This is good news for livestock farmers who have found the 20-day movement restriction a major obstacle in the battle to re-build Britain's livestock industry

"I hope that this package is the start of a new way of working between Government and farmers, one that produces results without the need to resort to regulation based on the lowest common denominator."

The NFU also welcomed DEFRA's pledge to consult the industry on a revised and updated action plan on illegal imports.

The livestock industry is extremely concerned that poor import controls will undermine any efforts by the livestock industry if diseased products are still able to enter the country.

The Tenant Farmers Association credits persistent lobbying for the change in policy.

The TFA has consistently argued that the 20-day movement standstill was crippling the livestock industry and had to change.

"Although we would have preferred the complete removal of the rule, the reduction to six days is a major breakthrough," said TFA national chairman Reg Haydon.

He added: "Discussions will continue with DEFRA over proposals to improve disease detection and biosecurity which the Government sees as important components of the total movements package."

Updated: 10:58 Wednesday, January 29, 2003