First some encouraging news.
Deputy Minister for Rural Affairs Alun Davies (Lab, Blaenau Gwent) recently told the National Sheep Association in a keynote speech that sheep farmers have "a lot to be optimistic about". Lamb exports have increased significantly over the years thanks to the success of cooperative ventures like Hybu Cig Cymru. Carwyn Jones has also reportedly discussed possible lamb deals with the Chinese in recent months.
Cases of the Schmallenburg virus - which affects sheep, goats and cattle - have been detected in the south east of England (with a case in Cornwall) after first appearing in Germany, Belgium, France and The Netherlands at the end of last year.
I have to stress though, so far no cases of Schmallenberg have been detected in Wales, but cases are starting to spread into the Westcountry so South Wales is now reported to be in the firing line.
The virus causes illness in cattle and deformities in newborn lambs (more detailed information from the Welsh Government here), although judging by some of the monitoring reports it appears to only affect small numbers in large herds. With the majority of lambing coming in the next few months this is a concern. Defra are monitoring the situation and are producing regular updates on infections and farm inspections.
At the end of January, Environment Minister John Griffiths (Lab, Newport East) published a new climate change risk assessment which included reference to new pests and diseases. But as far as I can tell, a question from Antoinette Sandbach AM (Con, North Wales) on that risk assessment is the only record of Schmallenberg being mentioned in the Senedd.
With the UK Government's recent decision to consolidate and downgrade veterinary health laboratories in Wales, this is a timely reminder that these services are vital to farmers livelihoods in some of Wales' most isolated parts. According to Plaid's Jonathan Edwards MP, by 2013 there'll be no veterinary lab testing facilities in Wales, despite agriculture being a largely devolved area.
I don't think we would tolerate NHS testing being centralised in this way, so why animal health? Especially when our meat exports could help build and strengthen economic links with China.
I hate to be a cloud on an otherwise sunny day but I don't need to underline the impact the virus could have on the rural economy if it made its way to Wales and took hold.
Deputy Minister for Rural Affairs Alun Davies (Lab, Blaenau Gwent) recently told the National Sheep Association in a keynote speech that sheep farmers have "a lot to be optimistic about". Lamb exports have increased significantly over the years thanks to the success of cooperative ventures like Hybu Cig Cymru. Carwyn Jones has also reportedly discussed possible lamb deals with the Chinese in recent months.
Cases of the Schmallenburg virus - which affects sheep, goats and cattle - have been detected in the south east of England (with a case in Cornwall) after first appearing in Germany, Belgium, France and The Netherlands at the end of last year.
I have to stress though, so far no cases of Schmallenberg have been detected in Wales, but cases are starting to spread into the Westcountry so South Wales is now reported to be in the firing line.
The virus causes illness in cattle and deformities in newborn lambs (more detailed information from the Welsh Government here), although judging by some of the monitoring reports it appears to only affect small numbers in large herds. With the majority of lambing coming in the next few months this is a concern. Defra are monitoring the situation and are producing regular updates on infections and farm inspections.
At the end of January, Environment Minister John Griffiths (Lab, Newport East) published a new climate change risk assessment which included reference to new pests and diseases. But as far as I can tell, a question from Antoinette Sandbach AM (Con, North Wales) on that risk assessment is the only record of Schmallenberg being mentioned in the Senedd.
With the UK Government's recent decision to consolidate and downgrade veterinary health laboratories in Wales, this is a timely reminder that these services are vital to farmers livelihoods in some of Wales' most isolated parts. According to Plaid's Jonathan Edwards MP, by 2013 there'll be no veterinary lab testing facilities in Wales, despite agriculture being a largely devolved area.
I don't think we would tolerate NHS testing being centralised in this way, so why animal health? Especially when our meat exports could help build and strengthen economic links with China.
I hate to be a cloud on an otherwise sunny day but I don't need to underline the impact the virus could have on the rural economy if it made its way to Wales and took hold.
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