Plaid MEP Jill Evans has welcomed a vote in the European Parliament which she hopes will give an important boost to Welsh sheep and goat farming.

MEPs voted to approve new proposals seen as a rescue plan for the sector which has been in decline and has struggled to recover since the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak. The MEPs have agreed a series of proposals they want to see approved by EU Agriculture Ministers including increased financial support to stem the decline in production, and new measures to increase consumption.

In Wales the number of sheep and lambs declined from almost twelve million in 1999 to less than nine and a half million in 2006. Forty one per cent of all Welsh farms kept sheep in 2006.

On the major issue for Wales of tagging sheep and goats, the 'opt-in' system was rejected in the final vote. The Plaid MEP is opposed to compulsory sheep tagging.

Jill Evans said:

"Sheep farming has been facing tough times for a number of years and was hit hard by the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001.

"New financial measures are particularly necessary to halt the decline in production and what's being talked of also includes a per capita sheep premium and additional payments in some cases .

"But the Commission proposal for compulsory sheep tagging would be very costly to implement.

"I will continue to lobby hard on behalf of Welsh farmers to stop it going ahead."

Diwedd/Ends