The Farmers’ Union of Wales has repeated its long standing call for a science led policy to control TB in wildlife after the Welsh Government suggested the abandoned badger vaccination pilot in north Pembrokeshire could restart in 2017.

Ministerial advice provided to the Welsh Government in 2012 suggested vaccination in the north Pembrokeshire Intensive Action Area (IAA) could cost Welsh farmers and the taxpayer an additional £3.5 million compared with a badger cull.

“The results after four years of badger vaccination in the IAA appear to support the original assessment that vaccination would cost farmers and the taxpayers millions and save the lives of far fewer cattle than badger culling would have done,” said FUW Deputy President and north Pembrokeshire farmer Brian Thomas.

“Based upon trials in other areas, we could have expected a thirty or forty percent reduction in cattle herd TB incidences by now, had the original plan to cull badgers gone ahead. Instead, matters in the area are no different to other comparable areas where badger vaccination has not taken place.”

Mr Thomas was speaking after attending a Welsh Government briefing session where the results of Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) modelling of badger vaccination strategies were presented.

“A key focus of the modelling work carried out and the subsequent statement made by Welsh Government indicates a possible return to badger vaccination in 2017. In our view that would mean returning to a pointless and costly exercise which has yet to show any positive impacts, whereas badger culling as originally planned would already have resulted in significant reductions in TB incidences.”

Mr Thomas said there was also no guarantee that the BCG vaccine used on badgers would be available by 2017.

“There is currently a global shortage of BCG vaccine, and given that one badger dose can vaccinate twenty infants in regions where human TB is a huge problem, such as Africa, it would be immoral to deplete global vaccine stocks by vaccinating badgers.”

The average cost of vaccinating each badger caught in the north Pembrokeshire Intensive Action Area has been around £700.

“In the 12 months to the end of September 2015 the number of cattle culled in Wales due to TB was 7,380, an increase of 25 percent on the equivalent period to September 2014.

“That’s an equivalent to 20 cattle culled every day of the week.”

Mr Thomas said farmers were doing their part in terms of controlling the disease, and accepted that cattle which represent a risk need to be destroyed.

“Welsh Ministers need to recognise that other animals which represent a risk should also be controlled, and that to avoid the issue by spending millions on vaccinating badgers will simply make matters worse in the long run.”

The Ceredigion branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is warning its members to be vigilant following a report of rogue traders making the rounds in the county.

The notice, which was issued by Dyfed Powys Police, warns that the various rogue traders are offering general building work, replacing roofing tiles and plastics, as well as some offering Tarmacadaming work.

FUW Ceredigion County Executive Officer Mared Rand Jones, said: “ These people offer to do basic work for a small charge and once the job has been completed - if at all - the costs go up.

“These people can get quite aggressive, demanding their cash. They will even drive their victims to a bank so they can take the cash out.

“It is illegal to sell door to door and I don’t want any of our members to fall for their sales pitch. If you do get cold callers to your door say “NO” and report the incident to the police immediately.”

[caption id="attachment_6136" align="aligncenter" width="300"] (l-r) Enjoying the breakfast morning are former FUW President Gareth Vaughan , FUW Managing Director Alan Davies, FUW farming stalwart Meurig Voyle and FUW President Glyn Roberts[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_6135" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Denbigh and Flint branch of the FUW cooked up a storm at Glan Llyn Pub, Clawddnewydd[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_6134" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Ceredigion branch of the FUW were joined by Mark Williams MP and FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas (l) at their Penrhyn-coch breakfast function[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_6133" align="aligncenter" width="300"] It’s good to talk over breakfast around the table – FUW Meirionnydd hosts a successful breakfast at Brydir Farm, Dyffryn Ardudwy[/caption]

Farmhouse kitchens across Wales filled the air with the wonderful smell of freshly cooked breakfast produce last month as members and friends of the Farmers’ Union of Wales once again supported the annual Farmhouse Breakfast week  (January 24 to 30).

The total of 13 breakfasts, which were held across Meirionnydd, Caernarfon, Denbigh and Flintshire and Ceredigion, raised £6,500 for the FUW’s chosen charity British Heart Foundation Cymru.

Over 650 friends and members of the FUW indulged in locally sourced breakfast produce ranging from bacon, eggs, sausages, cheese and other dairy products to promote the benefits of eating a healthy and balanced breakfast every day.

As members and friends of the Union came together around the breakfast table, many used the opportunity to share their thoughts and worries about the state of the industry.

FUW President Glyn Roberts, who hosted a breakfast function at his farm Dylasau Uchaf, Padog, Betws y Coed, said: “The breakfast functions offer fantastic opportunities for us on a variety of levels.

“We get to enjoy and promote the great food we produce here in Wales and through that advocate a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle, we get to raise money for our charity and we also all get to sit around the same table to share what’s on our mind.

“I would like to thank all those who supported the breakfast functions again this year - may that have been by attending, sponsoring or hosting. It is important that we come together round a table as a Union, a family and industry to safeguard what keeps the hills and valleys of Wales alive.”

The Caernarfonshire Branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has arranged a special open meeting to explain the changes to the sheep identification rules since January 1 and the new electronic sheep reporting system for Wales known as ‘EID Cymru’.

The meeting will be held at Clynnog Fawr Hall, Clynnog Fawr next Wednesday, February 10 at 7.30pm. The main presentation will be by John Richards of Hybu Cig Cymru, who has been seconded by HCC to set up the new system.

Also present will be Emyr Owen from Farming Connect to explain what is available under the scheme and provide details about preparing of Personal Development Plans.

FUW Caernarfonshire Chairman Tudur Parry said: “This meeting provides an excellent opportunity for farmers to raise any questions they may have and I urge them not to miss out.

“With the need for all sheep movements to be recorded on the Welsh Government’s EIDCymru database from this year onwards, the prospect of such a change raises significant concerns within the industry, and many remain confused as to what they are expected to do, particularly if accessing the online system is not an option due, for example, to a lack of broadband in many areas.

“Any farmers wishing to use EIDCymru to report or confirm their sheep movements will be provided with the information needed to use the system, during the meeting.”

Following the presentations, there will be an opportunity for questions or comments on the new arrangements.

These are very important changes which apply to all sheep farmers. A large number of FUW members are expected to attend, and more details are available from the Union’s Caernarfonshire office 01286 672 541 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.