The Welsh Assembly is seeking to amend EU rules preventing on-farm burial of stock, which would allow containment prior to disposal and bring huge savings for farmers.

Rural Affairs minister Elin Jones said: “Farmers are right to be concerned about the costs of disposal of fallen stock, and the Welsh Assembly is committed to seek a derogation from EU rules preventing on-farm burial of stock.”

A review of European animal by-products regulations provides an opportunity to change the rules on the disposal of fallen stock, with Wales proposing on-farm storage prior to disposal which would improve biosecurity through less frequent collection.

The minister added: “Officials are working with other UK administrations, the commission, other member states and the European Parliament to secure agreement to this amendment, which will benefit the farming industry whilst still ensuring protection of human and animal health and the environment.”

The proposal follows research taking place at Bangor University into a bio-reduction system which safely stores fallen stock while eventually reducing the volume required for disposal.

NFU Cymru is supporting the amendment.

The union’s livestock board chairman Ed Rees said: “By allowing the containment of fallen stock on-farm, as successfully trialled in Wales, we see the potential for a more efficient, environmentally-friendly and bio-secure method of disposing of fallen stock.”

The European Parliament will debate the issue and its agriculture and environment committee will consider the proposal in the next few months.