Welsh farmers get ruling on burying carcasses
Farmers in Mid Wales who have lost sheep, lambs and calves due to the recent snow and winter conditions can bury their dead animals in exceptional circumstances.
The Welsh Government has introduced special measures for the disposal of carcasses after reports were received that fallen stock collectors were unable to reach farms as farmers struggle to safely dispose of the carcasses.
The Welsh Government has limited powers under EU law to allow on-farm burial under emergency circumstances and it has decided to temporarily apply this derogation in the worst affected areas of Wales, which include Montgomeryshire and east Radnorshire.
The special measures came into force one minute after midnight on April 3 and are valid until one minute after midnight on Wednesday. They will be reviewed by the Welsh Government after this period.
Lee Evans, Powys County Council spokesman, said: "If fallen stock collectors are unable to access farms in the worst affected areas of Montgomeryshire and east Radnorshire, farms will be allowed temporarily to bury sheep, lambs and calves in accordance with EU and domestic regulations. Farmers will be required to provide evidence that collectors were unable to access the farm.
"Farmers will also need to consider the Natural Resources Wales guidelines when disposing the carcasses to ensure that the water quality is protected.
"Finally, Powys farmers must notify Powys County Council's Trading Standards Service that a burial is taking place. This must be recorded in the farmer's movement book, with tag numbers if appropriate and the burial site location.
"Farmers must ensure they provide the evidence required that collectors were unable to access their farm, consider the Natural Resources guidelines and then contact Trading Standards before any burials take place."
For further information call the council's Animal Health Officers on (01686) 617524 for Montgomeryshire or (01597) 826031 for Radnorshire.