Written question WQ96647
- Asked by
- Darren MillarConservative
- To be answered by
- Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of bluetongue disease on breeding stock sales, and subsequently the impact that it will have on next season’s livestock production?
Answer
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
Farmers are encouraged to consider vaccination of their livestock against Bluetongue with their private veterinarian. From 20 June livestock can move from the Bluetongue RZ in England to Wales to live subject to receipt of a negative pre-movement test. No Welsh Government funding is available for individual business decisions of this kind.
Currently, livestock from the restricted zone can move directly to slaughter at any abattoir in Wales. Due to the increasing risks of Bluetongue transmission, from 1 July, livestock from the RZ will be required to move to designated abattoirs only for slaughter.
Uncertainty surrounding the severity of the disease in livestock-dense areas, as well as its potential impact on herd and flock productivity and fertility, means that conducting an economic impact assessment is not feasible at this time.