Wales’ Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones, has welcomed the European Commission’s decision to allow Great Britain to adopt a lower risk status zone for Bluetongue.
The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) in Brussels has agreed to change the GB status from a Bluetongue (BTV8) Protection Zone to a Bluetongue (BTV8) Lower Risk Zone (LRZ) from June 12 2010.
The Minister also praised those livestock farmers in Wales who vaccinated their animals against Bluetongue which helped to keep Bluetongue out of Wales – which contributed to the decision to approve a lower risk status.
Elin Jones, Minister for Rural Affairs, said:
“This is a very welcome decision and demonstrates the hard work and commitment shown by those livestock farmers in Wales, who worked with the Welsh Assembly Government to keep their livestock free from this disease.
“The Welsh Assembly Government has been working closely with DEFRA and the other devolved administrations to deliver a GB Lower Risk Zone, which enables vaccination to continue, minimises trade disruption within Great Britain and provides more control over imported livestock.
“It does, however remain vitally important that everyone involved in the Welsh farming industry remains vigilant for Bluetongue and that livestock keepers in Wales continue to source livestock responsibly – as well as checking the health and vaccination status of their animals. Farmers are urged to consider whether it is really necessary to bring in animals from Bluetongue infected areas in view of the associated risk.
“Vaccination remains the only effective way to protect against Bluetongue so it is crucial that livestock keepers continue to vaccinate their animals against BTV8.”
