Monday 14 May 2007

EUROPE WELCOMES BACK WELSH BLACKS

AFTER an export break of 17 years, a consignment of Welsh Black Cattle will leave Wales next week for farms in Denmark and Germany .

The export is the first for the Society since March 1990, and the 21 pedigree breeding cattle have been specially chosen by the European farmers from six farms in south and mid Wales .

The cattle - three bulls and 18 heifers – will leave Carmarthen Cattle Market on Monday (May 21 st ). Two bulls are destined for farms in Germany , while one polled bull and the heifers will travel to Denmark .

“It may have taken years of seemingly endless red tape and enough legislation to tie up any magician, but we have done it and we are absolutely delighted,” said Welsh Black Cattle Society Chief Executive, Andrew James.

“Ever since the Society was approached with the deal in early March we have been working flat out to make sure all the administrative details between the purchasing counties are in order, and farmers have been blood testing their cattle for Johne's disease, IBR, BVD and Leptospirosis. The cleared animals have been in quarantine and we have been liaising closely with the National Assembly's Animal Health Division on the necessary legislation.”

He continued, “We are very proud to have been able to support the European farmers in their request for quality beef breeding stock of the highest order.

“ Germany needed new bloodlines and these two bulls will benefit the forty or so Welsh Black breeders in the country.

”However it will be the first time Wales ' native breed of cattle has been sent to Denmark . The cattle will be based on Fyn – Denmark 's ‘middle' island - as part of a new scheme where they will graze on an estate open to the public. Bovi – the Danish agency which has been liaising with the WBCS can't wait to have the cattle and hope to have spring calves next year.”

When they arrive in Denmark next Tuesday (May 22) the country's regulations dictate that the cattle spend another 28 days in quarantine.

It is hoped next week's export could be the start of a new trade for the cattle as the WBCS has received a number of international enquiries for pedigree Welsh Black Cattle.

“Now that these are on their way we are ready for the next export order,” said Andrew James.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Photo:

Trevor & Eirwen Jones, Cwmcae, Bow Street, Aberystwyth with Germany bound Cwmcae Brenin 4 th (left) and Denmark bound Cwmcae Ester 106 th (right) .

For further information contact:

Andrew James, Chief Executive Welsh Black Cattle Society

Tel: 01982 551111