§ Mr. Simon ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons transporting livestock to and from shows will no longer be exempt from the six-day standstill. [105642]
§ Mr. MorleyWe announced in a written statement on 23 January 2003 that the standstill would be reduced from 20 to six days for cattle, sheep and goats with effect from 4 March 2003, but with far fewer exemptions.
The mixing of animals at shows—just as at markets—presents a risk of spreading undetected disease. During the period when the general rule was a 20-day whole farm standstill, it was agreed that an exemption could be allowed for show animals, but only if they were isolated in Defra approved facilities for 20 days before moving to shows and on return home.
The removal of most of the exemptions to the standstill is a counter-balance to the increased risk created by the reduction in standstill period to six days. Pigs—which are still subject to a 20-day whole farm standstill—may take advantage of an exemption if they are individually identified and isolated for 20 days in approved Defra facilities before moving to a show.