Festival virus risk worries Welsh

8 August 2001



Festival ‘virus risk’ worries Welsh

By FWi staff

FARMERS leaders in Wales fear that a jazz festival being held in a foot-and-mouth hotspot could spark more cases of the virus.

The Farmers Union of Wales has urged the estimated crowds of 50,000 due to attend the Brecon Jazz Festival to observe all precautions against the disease.

Thousands of sheep have already been slaughtered after evidence of foot-and-mouth was found in animals brought down from the hills.

Test results have dismayed farmers because they show that foot-and-mouth has spread further into the Welsh beauty spot than first expected.

Powys County Council has carried out risk assessments of all 12 campsites in and around Brecon in preparation for the festival on 10-12 August.

It is working with the government and Brecon Beacons National Park Authority to ensure disinfection procedures and signage are in place.

FUW President Bob Parry said: “Farmers in the area are obviously very nervous about such a huge influx of people into their locality which has been so badly hit by this disastrous epidemic.

“Visitors must do their utmost to prevent further spread by complying with all disinfection procedures when required to do so, and by not attempting to use closed footpaths or rights of way.”

Five new outbreaks of foot-and-mouth have been confirmed in Cumbria on Wednesday (08 August), taking the UK total to 1936.