Livestock Trade Faces Strain Amid Bluetongue Rules

Farmers near the England-Wales border are facing challenges due to new regulations aiming to prevent the spread of the bluetongue virus. From next month, livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats moving from England into Wales must test negative for the disease. Farmers argue that this could disrupt trade and complicate logistics. At the Oswestry livestock auction, located just over the English side of the border, director John Bevan highlighted the potential for massive impacts during the busy autumn trading season, with potential delays and increased expenses due to testing requirements.

The comprehensive testing mandated includes a cost of up to £70 per animal, valid for just seven days, posing a repetitive financial burden if animals are not quickly traded. Welsh farmer Helen Roberts expressed her struggles with the policy and may seek alternative auction locations to avoid these hurdles. The sentiment of disruption was echoed by local MP Helen Morgan, who called for clearer guidance and solutions from the government to balance disease prevention with practical agricultural needs. The situation reflects broader concerns across the agricultural communities straddling the England-Wales border.