The implementation of Quarantine Units to manage livestock movements has been postponed until after the current Agricultural Show season, the Welsh cabinet secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths has announced.
Lesley Griffiths has decided to delay the introduction of Quarantine Units (QUs) from Monday 12th June to Monday 11th September following representations by farming unions and other livestock industry representatives on behalf of livestock keepers wishing to attend agricultural shows this summer.
The delay means livestock keepers are able to attend agricultural shows using their existing Isolation Facilities without the obligation to meet the full requirements of the six day standstill regime. It also allows them more time to put in place QUs on their holdings.
Movements into a QU will not trigger a 6DSS on your main holding, allowing other animals to be moved off while the incoming animals observe the standstill in a QU.
Working with industry representatives we have developed these new arrangements to replace the complex exemptions around isolation facilities and Sole Occupancy Authorities for cattle, sheep and goats. QUs will simplify the standstill regime and provide greater flexibility while maintaining movement controls to help prevent the spread of disease.
