FARMERS from across Worcestershire and Herefordshire were due to descend on Government offices in Worcester today, in protest against restrictive controls on the movement of livestock.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) believes the 20-day standstill imposed by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is inappropriate and unrealistic.

The rule means when any animal is brought on to a holding, no animals can be moved off the holding for 20 days afterwards, except to a slaughterhouse or slaughter market.

Dozens of farmers were due to hand letters to Defra officials at the Whittington Road offices today at 11.30am, urging the abolition of the

20-day standstill.

Concerns

The letters explain the farmers' concerns over the Government's animal movement restrictions, which remain in force 16 months after the end of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

The NFU said it accepted the need for movement controls, but any measures should be supported by producers, who have taken stringent steps to reduce the risk of disease.

"Producers no longer believe the controls are proportionate to the risk," said Michael Oakes, NFU regional board chairman.

"The 20-day standstill is an unacceptable straitjacket that is incompatible with the needs of a diverse and dynamic industry."

Mr Oakes, who is a farmer in Worcestershire, said the impact of the standstill affectd the entire supply chain, including livestock markets.

Farmers from Shropshire and Warwickshire will join local farmers for the protests, part of a series of nationwide demonstrations.