Quarantine Units to be postponed until September

8 Jun 2017 06:36 PM

The implementation of Quarantine Units to manage livestock movements has been postponed until after the current Agricultural Show season, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs has announced.

Lesley Griffiths has decided to delay the introduction of Quarantine Units (QUs) from Monday 12th June to Monday 11th September following representations by farming unions and other livestock industry representatives on behalf of livestock keepers wishing to attend agricultural shows this summer. 

The delay means livestock keepers are able to attend agricultural shows using their existing Isolation Facilities without the obligation to meet the full requirements of the six day standstill regime. It also allows them more time to put in place QUs on their holdings.

The Cabinet Secretary said:

“Following discussions with key farming and stakeholder organisations over recent days I have decided isolation facilities may continue to be used by livestock keepers for agricultural shows and those wanting to move animals for breeding purposes, until 11 September 2017, when the new legislation on Quarantine Units will come into force. 

“I am sure this approach will be of benefit to the agriculture summer shows and to livestock keepers who wish to display their animals at these important rural events.”

More information on Quarantine Units can be found here.