Six day rule has passed its sell-by date

12.00.00am GMT Tue 28th Oct 2008

A Government rule which restricts farmers should be scrapped, according Tim Farron the Lib Dem Shadow Secretary of State for DEFRA. The Six day stand still rule prevent s farmers from moving any animals off their farm - except direct to slaughter - for a total of 6 days after any animal has been moved on to the farm .

Mr Farron has called on Secretary of State Hilary Benn to make an announcement this autumn that the standstill rule has passed its sell by date.

Commenting Mr Farron said:

"The 6 day standstill rule serves no purpose apart from making life incredibly difficult for farmers, as they are unable to trade or move stock off their farm for 6 days each time they bring a new beast on to the holding.

"The rule is a hangover from foot and mouth and other animal disease outbreaks.

"All of us know that if there is an outbreak, then appropriate restrictions would be needed immediately, but in 'peacetime' such as this, the rule is simply another constraint on hard pressed farmers.

"I will be challenging Hilary Benn to admit that this rule is another unnecessary restraint on farmers which should be scrapped immediately."