Union raises passport problems

NFU CYMRU wants farmers who are refused cattle passports to have access to an independent appeals procedure.

Union president Peredur Hughes said on Tuesday, Aug 10 that legitimate problems, including postal delays, means that the present system does not give farmers a fair deal.

Speaking at Anglesey County Show he called on the British Cattle Movement Service to establish a system that could deal with genuine cases in an independent professional way.

“Farmers have tried to co-operate fully with BCMS to provide the traceability that ensures consumer confidence is back on track,” said Mr Hughes

“They should not be penalised for factors that are out of their hands.”

At the same time the union was encouraging members making postal applications to do so well in advance of the deadlines, and to make use of electronic applications, he said.

However, many farmers had no access to computers, he added. The BCMS must take account of this and not unfairly apply the same criteria to both systems.

Mr Hughes also held talks at the event about the spread of bovine TB in Wales, including the launch of a new Welsh contingency plan.

This is due to be unveiled on Aug 11 at the United Counties Show in Carmarthen and has been drafted by the Welsh Assembly‘s environment planning and countryside committee.

The plan is expected to call for pre-movement testing and certification of cattle in TB hotspots, greater use of gamma interferon testing and the collection and testing of susceptible wildlife killed on roads.

It will also call for a dedicated TB hotline to advise farmers and for TB research facilities in Wales.

The document will also suggest consultation on an industry levy to help fund efforts to control the spread of the disease – an idea opposed by farming unions.