James Evans MS has welcomed the Welsh Government’s change of direction to lift its livestock movement restrictions and align with England’s bluetongue strategy. James has been calling for cross-border consistency for many months, warning of the serious harms to Welsh farmers, livestock markets, and agricultural shows. Today’s announcement will allow cross-border movements without costly pre-movement testing, a step the farming community across all areas has been calling for since the summer.
James has repeatedly urged Ministers to follow DEFRA’s approach, warning that Welsh-only rules were creating a “two-tier farming system” and imposing significant delays, welfare risks, and financial burdens on farmers operating across the border. He also warned that the rural sector now needs proper support to recover from months of unnecessary disruption.
James Evans MS, Member of the Senedd for Brecon & Radnorshire, said:
“At long last, the Welsh Government has finally listened to the rural communities it supposedly represents! Farmers in border areas like my constituency of Brecon & Radnorshire have faced chaos, extra costs, and uncertainty all because the Welsh Labour Government refused to align with England sooner.
“Livestock markets, particularly in Knighton and Talgarth, have been disrupted and faced financial costs, supply chains fractured, and shows like the Royal Welsh suffered this year as a result of the Welsh Labour Government’s policy. It was a misguided belief that this policy would keep bluetongue out of Wales, as we all know that midges do not stop at Offa’s Dyke! Now that we have four confirmed cases in Powys, I am glad that common sense has prevailed and we are now aligned with England. My thoughts are with all the affected farms.
“Now that Ministers have finally changed course, they need to help farming families recover from the damage caused by this delay, not just issue a written statement. Going forward, vaccination and cooperation remain key, but there is still little support on offer to help farmers achieve vaccination status. Welsh farmers deserve policies based on science and partnership, not creating Welsh only policies and being different for different’s sake!”
