FARMERS in Radnorshire are to be allowed to bury fallen stock on their farms following recent heavy snowfall.

The Welsh Government minister responsible for agriculture, Alun Davies announced a special relaxation of normally strict EU rules for one week from midnight today (Weds, April 3).

Farmers must normally pay specialists companies to collect and dispose of fallen stock but due to heavy snowfall in late March farmers have expressed fears they will be unable to comply with the law.

Snow, which still remains on the ground in many upland areas, has led to the loss of stock during the busy lambing period, with animals also buried under drifts, that have up to 10ft high in places.

Mr Davies said the rules on disposal of stock would be relaxed for farmers in the worst affected areas of Wales, Radnorshire, Montgomeryshire, Conwy, Denbighshire, Wrexham, Gwynedd and Flintshire.

He said: "The last March has been one of the coldest for many years. It has had a significant impact on many businesses including agriculture. As a consequence many Welsh farmers have been devastated by the deaths of sheep, lambs and calves due to the snow. The Welsh Government intends to do what it can to help these farmers to deal with their lost stock as quickly and safely as possible.

"We have obligations under EU law to ensure the safe disposal of fallen stock to safeguard both public and animal health.

"We have limited powers under EU law to allow on farm burial under emergency circumstances. We have faced such extreme weather and many farmers are struggling to safely dispose of their fallen stock. We have received reports of collectors being unable to reach some farms, I have decided to temporarily apply this derogation in the worst affected areas whilst upholding the general principle of disposal off farm wherever possible."

Farmers must still do everything they can to arrange for carcasses to be removed from farms and must still contact a fallen stock collector in the first instance.

However if collectors are unable to access farms in the identified areas farmers will be allowed to bury sheep, lambs and calves in accordance with EU and domestic regulations.

Farmers will be required to provide evidence that collectors were unable to access the farm.

In addition to seeking advice from Natural Resources Wales on burial sites, farmers must notify their Local Authority that a burial is taking place. This must be recorded in the farmer's movement book, with tag numbers if appropriate and the burial site location. Mr Davies said the April 10 deadline will be reviewed.