"Prohibition of animal gathering must be relaxed" - Farron

8.50.59am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 30th Aug 2007

Local MP, Tim Farron is calling for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to relax the rules on animal gathering ahead of next months Westmorland County Show. Since the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Surrey earlier this month DEFRA has placed restrictions on animal movements and gatherings, but since it would appear that the disease has not taken hold, Mr Farron is keen for the Westmorland County Show to continue as normal with livestock.

Tim Farron spoke today with Lord Rooker, who is the Minister in charge of farming at DEFRA to urge him to reconsider the restrictions. In addition to this, Mr Farron hopes to see the '20 day standstill' rule relaxed so that animals may be moved around more freely once returning from the show.

Tim Farron said:

"I know that many people will be looking forward to the Westmorland County Show, due be held on the 13th of September, and I hope DEFRA will look into relaxing the animal gathering restrictions so that the full schedule of livestock classes can go ahead as planned.

"In addition to this, I would like to see DEFRA relax the '20 day standstill' rule which would see farmers forced to keep all livestock in place for 20 days upon returning from the show. Relaxing this would boost the farming industry generally, which would be welcomed by all."