Plaid MEP Jill Evans is hopeful that a containment system for fallen stock developed in Bangor University will bring about a change in European law. Ms Evans hosted a presentation at the European Parliament in Brussels by the University of Wales, Bangor, on an innovative new system they have devised for the safe on-farm containment of dead animals.

The proposal has the backing of the Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones who has met with the European Commission to make the case for on-farm containment.

Photograph: Representatives of the Welsh Assembly Government and Bangor University visit the European Parliament in Brussels for a presentation hosted by Plaid MEP Jill Evans to make the case for on-farm containment of fallen stock. Pictured left to right are Huw Jones (Welsh Assembly Government), Dr Prysor Williams (Bangor University), Jill Evans MEP (Plaid), Prof Davey Jones (Bangor University) and Les Eckford (Welsh Assembly Government Veterinary Advisor).

EU rules have banned farmers from burying dead animals on their land since 2002. Jill Evans has campaigned to get the rules changed. While she supports the Commission's objective that rules should be introduced to prevent and minimise risks to animal and public health arising from animal by-products, Jill does not believe that the immediate collection from the farm is always necessary and sustainable.

An area of particular concern in Wales is the collection of fallen stock from upland sheep farms and less accessible areas. As well as high collection costs, collection in disparate, rural areas raises environmental concerns over energy consumption and the threat to biosecurity.

The European Parliament's Agriculture and Environment Committees backed her amendments to allow on-farm containment. The issue will be voted on by the full parliament in April.

Speaking after the presentation by Dr Prysor Williams, Jill Evans MEP said:

"The One Wales Government and Bangor University and the Welsh Assembly Government have made a powerful case to the Commission and the European Parliament. We have a Welsh made solution to a Europe wide problem for farmers and I am hopeful that we'll get the rules changed.

"The bio reducer being developed at Bangor University is an environmentally and economically sustainable solution to the problem. The success of our co-operation at all levels will mean that Wales is leading the way on this in Europe."

Click HERE for a film of Jill Evans MEP talking to Dr. Prysor Williams of Bangor University, Wales.

Diwedd/Ends

In the photograph: Representatives of the Welsh Assembly Government and Bangor University visit the European Parliament in Brussels for a presentation hosted by Plaid MEP Jill Evans to make the case for on-farm containment of fallen stock. Pictured left to right are Huw Jones (Welsh Assembly Government), Dr Prysor Williams (Bangor University), Jill Evans MEP (Plaid), Prof Davey Jones (Bangor University) and Les Eckford (Welsh Assembly Government Veterinary Advisor).