Plaid MEP welcomes vote to ease restrictions

Plaid MEP Jill Evans has welcomed a vote in the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee to ease European restrictions placed on farmers for disposing of fallen stock. The Committee supported a series of amendments tabled jointly by Ms Evans and SNP colleague Alyn Smith.

The amendments call on the European Commission to revise its rules.

For example, the definition of remote areas would be left up to the authorities in individual member states, which would mean greater flexibility to allow on-farm burning or burial in some cases.

There was also support for on-farm containment. An area of particular concern to Wales is the collection of fallen stock from upland sheep farms. Much of the sheep sector in Wales is farmed extensively in upland and less accessible areas, and presents significant challenges with regards to the collection of fallen stock. As well as high collection costs, collection in disparate, rural areas raises environmental concerns over energy consumption. On farm containment could provide equivalent protection whilst having significantly less impact on the environment.

Speaking from Brussels after the vote, Ms Evans said:

"These amendments strengthen our case with the European Commission. Farmers have shown that the restrictions on the disposal of fallen stock cause them tremendous problems and there are safety implications too. With the Commission reviewing the situation now is the time to act.

"There is a broad consensus for more flexibility in the Agriculture Committee and I'm confident that the message will reach the Commission. Plaid Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones is fully supportive and has been in Brussels to discuss this with the European Commission on behalf of Welsh farmers.

"This is particularly significant for Wales because we're developing an innovative way to deal with fallen stock. Bangor University is developing a biological livestock digester which would allow stock to be safely stored and processed on the farm prior to disposal. I have been making the case for this new technology in the European Parliament.

"This is another area where rules are needed to ensure animal and human safety and protect the wider environment, but they have to be effective and workable. The scheme developed in Wales is just that."

Diwedd/Ends

NOTES:

The summary of the voting is reproduced below, showing some of the positive aspects

Remote Areas and Fallen Stock

Remote areas will be defined by the competent authority of each Member State. The derogation for remote areas (allowing burning or burial on farm of fallen stock) will be extended to areas "where access would impose a disproportionate financial or administrative burden". For the derogation for farms handling small volumes of ABP, the threshold will be determined by the Member State. (Passage of amendments 19, 32, 33, 35, and 36)

Fallen Stock Temporary Containment

Competent authorities can authorise measures for temporary containment of animals on farm in ways that do not affect human or animal health. (Passage of Amendments 67 and 69)

Glycerol and Potassium Sulphate

End products from the safe processing of biofuels can be used without further restrictions. (Passage of Amendment 15)

Tallow

Clarification that ABP used as a fuel do not come under waste legislation and should not be treated as such. (Passage of Amendment 44)

Biofuel Plants

All our recital amendments encouraging the use of biofuels were successful. Successful rejection of Amendment 54, which would have required all biofuel plants to be approved, not merely registered.

Moving Items Between the Three Categories of ABP

The competent authorities of the Member State will work with the Commission in this regard, based on the latest scientific evidence. (Passage of Amendment 25,)

Pet Food

Successful clarification that only processed Category 3 ABP material can be fed to pets.

Welsh Assembly Government

References to the involvement of devolved sub-national governments were successfully inserted.