To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she last met representatives of the National Farmers' Union to discuss the effect of the six day rule; and if she will make a statement. [107229]

Defra Ministers and officials regularly meet and correspond with farming union representatives on a number of animal health matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she last met representatives of the (a) National Farmers' Union of Wales and (b) Farmers' Union of Wales to discuss the effect of the 6 day rule; and if she will make a statement. [107271]

Defra Ministers and officials regularly meet and correspond with farming union representatives, including those representing farmers in Wales, on a range of animal health matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she will amend the 6 day rule to allow agricultural shows to operate; and if she will make a statement.[107272]

When the 20 day standstill was reduced to 6 days most of the exemptions to the standstill, including the exemption for shows, were removed as a counter-balance to the increased risk created by the reduction in the standstill period. We are aware of the concern that the removal of the show exemption has caused and are looking at alternative suggestions put to us.