‘£300 to show my prize cattle? I won’t bother’
LIVESTOCK exhibitors in Wales are set to be hit by new charges which may deter many from attending some agricultural shows this summer.
Show organisers fear damaging falls in cattle, sheep and goat entries once Quarantine Units (QU) come into force.
These will replace cost-free isolation fields that exhibitors could previously set up to avoid Six-Day Standstill (6DSS) rules.
As well as extra red tape – QUs come with 61 rules – livestock owners will face additional costs if they want to take animals to sales and shows that take place within six days of each other.
A single QU field, including VAT, will cost £201.60 every 18 months, while two QU fields will cost £285.60.
The money will fund inspections by Quality Welsh Food Certification, which also oversees the Farm Assured Welsh Livestock (FAWL), Welsh Organic and Red Tractor schemes.
Isolation fields were governed by local Trading Standards and incurred no fees.
Harlech exhibitor Lynn Foxwell, who shows the Rhyddid herds of Welsh Black and Dun Galloway cattle, said the charges were “crazy” and would probably force her to cut the number of shows she attends each year. “It’s a nightmare,” she said. “If this was a one-off payment we would probably think about it, but it’s not, it’s every 18 months. It’s not worth the extra expense and paperwork for just a few shows.
“This will really hit the smaller village events. The people I feel sorry for are the show volunteers who work tirelessly to stage these events: they will be very disappointed when cattle don’t turn up.”
In August shows come thick and fast in North Wales.
Exhibitors without QUs who attend the mid-week Anglesey and Denbigh & Flint county shows, would have to miss the Eglwysbach and Llanrwst shows, which take place on successive Saturdays.
Livestock exhibitors may also have to chose between Merioneth and Taly- bont shows.
Concerns about the new arrangements were raised at last month’s Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations’ Wales conference in Builth Wells.
Anglesey Show administrator Aled Hughes said he was “surprised” there had been so little consultation with organisers.
“Our livestock schedules went out just two weeks ago, so it’s too early to assess any impact,” he added.
Mrs Foxwell has lobbied the Welsh Government, AMs and the farming unions, but has received little support for a review of the QU system, due to be implemented shortly.
She added: “The previous system of isolation fields worked well. Now, if we implemented QUs, we will face a raft of rules, such as swapping wellies when you go from one field to another.
“If we don’t have QUs, our returning show cattle will be free to mix with our other stock – they can even touch noses with neighbouring cattle. It’s ridiculous and a backwards step for disease control.”
Beth Rees, biosecurity officer at the Denbigh & Flint, said many exhibitors will face tough choices. In some years this will include missing either the Denbigh & Flint or Meirioneth shows.
“I imagine the big professional exhibitors and dealers will just pay up (for QUs), but the ordinary farmer probably won’t bother,” she said.
“It could have quite a devastating impact on some of the smaller shows.”
A Welsh Government spokesman said the new QU system was designed to “simplify” the standstill regime whilst maintaining disease movement curbs. It was developed in partnership with the farming industry.
He added: “Although QUs can be used to manage movements to and from shows it is important to note they are intended to be used for all types of animal movement, not just for shows.”