CLA Asks Government To Justify Continued Use Of 20 Day Standstill Rule
UK - In response to an increase in calls from concerned Members, the CLA is asking Government to justify its continued use of the 20 day rule in low risk areas.
10 October 2007
1 minute read
Angus Collingwood-Cameron, Director CLA North East said: "As it now seems certain that FMD has spread no further than Surrey, it is increasingly frustrating that farmers in the FMD Low Risk Zone continue to be hampered by the 20 day stand still rule."
"This rule was introduced when the fear of FMD was at its greatest, and for good reasons. As the risk of the disease spreading from Surrey has receded, and other movement restrictions have been relaxed, it seems illogical that North East farmers are being severely handicapped by an outdated restriction.
"The rule means that if farmers bring livestock onto a farm, they are prohibited from selling stock from the holding other than straight to slaughter, for nearly three weeks. This is causing real difficulties, as many farmers are wanting to buy breeding sheep, but also wanting to sell store cattle and lambs. Furthermore, it limits the ability of many farmers to bring stock back from an auction mart if they fail to achieve an acceptable price. This is forcing farmers to accept very low prices.
"This rule is no longer justified and should be scrapped in the Low Risk Zone, or Government should justify its continued use, and give farmers an indication of the earliest date they can expect it to be lifted without compromising proportionate biosecurity measures."
