In recognition of the significant economic and mental health impacts of bovine TB, the Farmers’ Union of Wales organised and hosted an open seminar at the Royal Welsh Show entitled ‘What impacts do TB breakdowns have on mental health?’. The seminar was designed to facilitate discussion on the real and devastating ground-level consequences of a TB breakdown and the effect of this disease on farming families in Wales.
According to Defra’s bovine TB statistics for Wales, in the 12 months up to the end of April 2019, the total number of animals slaughtered was almost 12,000. Over 1000 herds were under movement restrictions and the total number of cattle tests carried out was greater than 2 million. Despite rigorous cattle controls and a huge volume of cattle tests, there were 722 new incidents.
Alongside Ben Lake MP, joining the FUW at the seminar were speakers from Tir Dewi, the DPJ Foundation, Farming Community Network and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. Members of the panel discussed the efficacy of the current Bovine TB eradication policy and testing regime and the need for a compassionate approach to bovine TB eradication which considers the impact upon farming families and their businesses.
To date, discussions and programmes on controlling the disease in Wales have almost entirely centred on animal health issues and the FUW believes that a much greater emphasis should be paid to the economic issues surrounding bovine TB.
Now the FUW has written to the Minister proposing the establishment of a Wales Bovine TB Economics Task and Finish Group, at arm's length from animal health, to provide robust, Welsh specific, information on the emotional and economic impact of a TB breakdown and the subsequent mental health impacts on farmers.
Under the Well-being of Future Generations Act, the Welsh Government is obligated to take account of the long-term impact of their decision making. The FUW recognises that issues including loss of stock, problems with cash flow, costs of housing and feeding additional stock, loss of business control and uncertainty over the future, inevitably impact on the emotional well-being of farming families. However, the true impact is likely to have been underestimated.
Farmers trying to operate their business under a bovine TB breakdown are at breaking point. Given that mental health is inextricably linked to farm business sustainability and solvency, we must fully understand the ground-level grass roots consequences of this disease.