Farmers' Union of Wales responds to Welsh Government update on the Bovine TB Eradication Programme

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has responded following a statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs regarding Wales’ TB eradication programme. 

Changes to TB Policy

The statement provided an update following the decision by the Welsh Government’s Technical Advisory Group (TAG’s) decision last year to review the on-farm slaughter policy. The decision to review the policy followed extensive lobbying by the Farmers’ Union of Wales, who had expressed grave concerns over the significant burden on-farm slaughter was having on Welsh farmers. 

The Cabinet Secretary confirmed that since the introduction of the new policy a year ago, on-farm slaughter has been avoided through agreed delayed removal of approximately a quarter of animals - 242, from 111 individual herds - which would previously have been slaughtered on the farm. 

As part of his statement, the Cabinet Secretary also announced further changes to TB policy in Wales. These reforms included a change in Inconclusive Reactor (IR) policies, with the Cabinet Secretary confirming:

“Industry asked, and we have listened. “Evidence shows these resolved standard IR cattle are higher risk than other cattle because a larger proportion of them go on to become TB reactors at a later point.

“Currently this risks such resolved standard IR cattle with undetected infection being moved and spreading TB to other herds – a key concern raised by industry.

“Under new arrangements, these (resolved standard IR) cattle will be restricted to their herd with only licenced movements permitted direct to slaughter, or into an Approved Finishing Unit. I anticipate this policy change will take effect from this Autumn, and I hope it will be welcomed.”

The Cabinet Secretary also committed to build on the principles and best practices established in the Pembrokeshire TB Project, with a complementary initiative launching in the lower TB incidence area of North Wales – with the aim of keeping the disease out.

The statement also confirmed new members have also joined the TB Eradication Programme Board, on which the FUW currently sits. These include a representative from the Farming Community Network (FCN) and Young Farmers' Club Wales.

FUW Response

Commenting following the statement, FUW Deputy President, Dai Miles said:

“Bovine TB continues to cast a dark shadow over Welsh agriculture. The disease not only poses a significant threat to livestock health but also profoundly impacts the daily lives, livelihoods, and well-being of Welsh farmers.

The FUW has long lobbied for changes to on-farm slaughter policies, and it is welcome to learn that the change to this policy has resulted in a 25% reduction in the number of stock slaughtered on farms - alleviating some of the awful scenes endured by farming families across Wales over recent years.

Ultimately, the percentage of TB free herds in Wales remains consistently unchanged, meanwhile record cattle slaughtered data published earlier this year reflects the sobering reality of the current situation in Wales.

We appreciate the changes outlined on Inconclusive Reactor Policies which are supported by statistics. Such restrictions on resolved IR cattle will help to reduce the potential risk of future infection whilst balancing the economic viability of a farming business. We look forward to receiving further detail on this policy change prior to its introduction in the Autumn.

The TB Eradication Programme Board will undoubtedly benefit from the perspectives of representatives from the Farming Community Network and the Young Farmers’ Club. Their inclusion acknowledges the significant mental health burden of TB and ensures that the concerns and insights of both those directly affected by its emotional toll and the next generation of farmers are central to the eradication efforts.

Meanwhile, the Welsh Government’s intention to build on the Pembrokeshire Project, by expanding an initiative to North Wales, will hopefully build on the collaborative approach of working with the industry to foster understanding and action.

Welsh farmers are facing a monumental challenge with bTB, and today’s announcement, which is welcomed, outlines a tentative move forwards through collaborative working across industry. Now that the lengthy process of establishing the governance structure is in place, we must take the disease by the scruff of its neck and follow the science in broadening the eradication policy in Wales by adopting a truly holistic approach to address this challenge.”