LOCAL AGRICULTURAL SHOWS AND THE SIX DAY RULE

Early day motion 949, tabled 25 March 2003 by Simon Thomas (Plaid Cymru). Signed by 13 members.

That this House notes that the 20 day rule restricting the movement of livestock has recently been reduced to six days; further notes that although the movement standstill has been reduced, the Government has failed to allow farmers the same exemptions for taking animals to and from shows; believes that local shows form an important opportunity for the display of stock, the generating of income and the attraction of tourism to rural areas; believes that the Government's failure to allow exemptions for the movement of cattle, sheep and goats to and from shows will dramatically reduce the number of entries at these events; fears that not to reintroduce isolation as an option will damage many local rural communities; strongly believes that the Government should be consistent in their approach and that if isolation was accepted in 2002 it should be accepted in 2003; and urges the Government to show its commitment to the farming industry and reintroduce isolation as an option for taking animals to and from shows.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 6, Labour 5, Plaid Cymru 2.