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Abattoir lay-offs after outbreak Abattoir lay-offs after outbreak
(about 3 hours later)
Abattoir workers have been laid off as farming unions hold talks with the Assembly Government over UK-wide foot-and-mouth restrictions.Abattoir workers have been laid off as farming unions hold talks with the Assembly Government over UK-wide foot-and-mouth restrictions.
A UK-wide ban on moving livestock was brought in late on Friday after a case at a farm in Guildford, Surrey.A UK-wide ban on moving livestock was brought in late on Friday after a case at a farm in Guildford, Surrey.
Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said there would be other talks with the Environment Agency, local councils and other agencies.Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said there would be other talks with the Environment Agency, local councils and other agencies.
Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones has flown back from a New Zealand holiday.Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones has flown back from a New Zealand holiday.
She has been attending the government's Cobra emergency committees on Sunday and Monday.She has been attending the government's Cobra emergency committees on Sunday and Monday.
"My top priority at the moment is that Wales remains disease free," Ms Jones said."My top priority at the moment is that Wales remains disease free," Ms Jones said.
People have been urged to continue visiting the countryside as normalPeople have been urged to continue visiting the countryside as normal
"It's important that all the restrictions that have been put in place and all the precautions are implemented here in Wales.""It's important that all the restrictions that have been put in place and all the precautions are implemented here in Wales."
She said she wanted to see the restrictions on moving live-stock lifted as quickly as possible but added that she would not do anything which would jeopardise the future of the Welsh livestock industry.She said she wanted to see the restrictions on moving live-stock lifted as quickly as possible but added that she would not do anything which would jeopardise the future of the Welsh livestock industry.
The ban on moving cows, sheep and pigs means farmers are not able to sell any livestock or take them to abattoirs.The ban on moving cows, sheep and pigs means farmers are not able to sell any livestock or take them to abattoirs.
ADVICE FOR FARMERS Defra Helpline: 0845 9335577Animal Health Offices - Caernarfon: 01286 674144 Carmarthen: 01267 245400; 07000 780144 (eve)Cardiff: 029 20 768500 Welsh assembly websiteADVICE FOR FARMERS Defra Helpline: 0845 9335577Animal Health Offices - Caernarfon: 01286 674144 Carmarthen: 01267 245400; 07000 780144 (eve)Cardiff: 029 20 768500 Welsh assembly website
Workers at an abattoir on Anglesey were among the first in Wales to feel the impact of the ban on moving livestock.Workers at an abattoir on Anglesey were among the first in Wales to feel the impact of the ban on moving livestock.
Around 85 employees at the Welsh Country Foods abattoir in Gaerwen, have been laid off for a week. Workers at Cig Cibyn Abattoir in Caernarfon have also sent staff home.Around 85 employees at the Welsh Country Foods abattoir in Gaerwen, have been laid off for a week. Workers at Cig Cibyn Abattoir in Caernarfon have also sent staff home.
The company employs 45 workers and 30 of them have been told to stay at home.The company employs 45 workers and 30 of them have been told to stay at home.
Company director Sian Pritchard said: "We are assessing the situation hour by hour and we are in contact with the authorities to see how things develop."Company director Sian Pritchard said: "We are assessing the situation hour by hour and we are in contact with the authorities to see how things develop."
Wales' chief veterinary surgeon, Dr Christianne Glossop said the authorities needed to be convinced there would be no new cases of the disease and that the outbreak in Surrey was isolated.
Meanwhile, Dai Davies, president of NFU Cymru, said he would thank the assembly and Defra at Monday's meeting for their "quick reaction".Meanwhile, Dai Davies, president of NFU Cymru, said he would thank the assembly and Defra at Monday's meeting for their "quick reaction".
He said: "It's something the industry takes on the chin but from there on we'll be gleaning more information about where we're going forward - to find relief for the industry, to see if there is a way that some people can get animals to abattoir and if there's a way forward."He said: "It's something the industry takes on the chin but from there on we'll be gleaning more information about where we're going forward - to find relief for the industry, to see if there is a way that some people can get animals to abattoir and if there's a way forward."
"It all depends how long the standstill goes on for. I think every farmer in the UK accepts if you take a bit of pain up front we might get out of this quicker.""It all depends how long the standstill goes on for. I think every farmer in the UK accepts if you take a bit of pain up front we might get out of this quicker."
The movement ban is beginning to be felt across Wales. The South Wales Sheepdog Association have cancelled trials at Builth Wells on Monday and Tuesday and Cwmowen in Powys on Wednesday.The movement ban is beginning to be felt across Wales. The South Wales Sheepdog Association have cancelled trials at Builth Wells on Monday and Tuesday and Cwmowen in Powys on Wednesday.
Show cancelledShow cancelled
Cardigan livestock market, which would normally expect to sell 400 cattle, is closed and a rams sale at Builth Wells has also off.Cardigan livestock market, which would normally expect to sell 400 cattle, is closed and a rams sale at Builth Wells has also off.
One of Europe's largest sheep markets in Welshpool, Powys, has been cancelled as have sales at Bryncir Mart in Gwynedd.One of Europe's largest sheep markets in Welshpool, Powys, has been cancelled as have sales at Bryncir Mart in Gwynedd.
Over the weekend some agricultural events like the Gower Show and Whitland market in Carmarthenshire were cancelled as restrictions on moving livestock were imposed.Over the weekend some agricultural events like the Gower Show and Whitland market in Carmarthenshire were cancelled as restrictions on moving livestock were imposed.
One auctioneer, Huw Evans from Carmarthenshire, said: "August and September are big months for sheep sales. Many producers will be dependent on getting rams there to put them to work with the flocks.One auctioneer, Huw Evans from Carmarthenshire, said: "August and September are big months for sheep sales. Many producers will be dependent on getting rams there to put them to work with the flocks.
"It will delay lambing next year - it throws the whole farming programme out of the window.""It will delay lambing next year - it throws the whole farming programme out of the window."
Edwin Harris, who farms at Libanus near Brecon, lost his stock in the 2001 outbreak, which saw 20,000 sheep slaughtered in the Brecon Beacons alone.Edwin Harris, who farms at Libanus near Brecon, lost his stock in the 2001 outbreak, which saw 20,000 sheep slaughtered in the Brecon Beacons alone.
"We're entering a trading season in farming for selling sheep and cattle, there are specialised ewe sales, all these hang in the balance - everything's on stop," he said."We're entering a trading season in farming for selling sheep and cattle, there are specialised ewe sales, all these hang in the balance - everything's on stop," he said.
"There's a great deal of uncertainty and the faster we can move, the better.""There's a great deal of uncertainty and the faster we can move, the better."