Following claims from industry bodies that the farming sector "wasn't listened to" by the Labour Welsh government over bluetongue restrictions in Wales, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Samuel Kurtz MS, has further emphasised his disappointment with the Welsh Government’s response to Bluetongue.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Samuel Kurtz MS, said:
"It is becoming increasingly clear that the agricultural sector was far from aligned with the Cabinet Secretary’s decision on bluetongue restrictions. In fact, it appears the decision directly contradicted the calls from within the industry.
"It raises a serious question: where has the Welsh Government been over the past few months, while the sector has been urging for a vaccination drive to keep livestock movements across the border open? This decision risks significant consequences for meat processing in Wales, impacting not only our abattoirs but also our livestock markets.
"We have been consistent in advocating for an enhanced vaccination strategy and a more pragmatic, proportionate approach to managing the risk, one that avoids inflicting unnecessary damage on our industry."
