Powys farmers have been told they must get rid of dead livestock properly after rumours circled in Powys that the rules had been relaxed.

The council’s Trading Standards Service are now reminding the farming community that they must continue to dispose of their fallen livestock in the correct manner.

Cllr James Evans, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Housing and Regulatory Services, said: “We understand that there are rumours circulating in the farming community but there is no relaxation of the current regulations.

“Our advice to the farming community is that they continue to dispose of their fallen livestock in the correct manner.

“The law is in place to control the spread of disease to other animals and to protect the human food chain. Breaching these requirements poses a threat to both animal and human health.”

Farmers are advised that it is a requirement of the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (Wales) Regulations 2014 that all carcasses are collected, transported and disposed of in an approved manner.

“We do take these matters very seriously because of the disease risks involved,” said Cllr Evans.

“If farmers do not follow these regulations then we will have to investigate and take the appropriate action.”