Bovine TB Eradication in Wales: A farmer’s point of view

The Farmers Union of Wales have launched ‘A Mandate for Bovine TB Eradication in Wales: A farmer’s point of View’ to coincide with both the Pembrokeshire County Show and Denbigh & Flint Show.

Both regions, on opposing ends of the country, are facing challenges in tackling Bovine TB akin to the length and breadth of Wales. However the challenges facing different regions of Wales vary considerably from one to another.

Following internal consultation with members, the mandate was created to provide direction on the areas of Bovine TB eradication that are of most importance to FUW members and to drill down on practical issues and solutions to support the delivery of the overarching demands held within the FUW’s 2026 Senedd election manifesto which are: 

• Investigate the limitations of the current programme to identify reasons for the lack of progress in disease eradication and act upon its findings.
• Commit to develop a scientifically supported, sustainable and holistic approach to Bovine TB eradication in Wales.
• Utilise the knowledge gained from genome sequencing and introduce robust policies to allow for action in areas where there is genomic evidence of Mycobacterium bovis in wildlife species.
• Provide sufficient financial resources to secure both fair compensation for compulsory removed animals and the efficient delivery of the programme.

The practical asks of members focused around three key areas of Communication and Support, Wildlife and Domestic Trade.  

Communication & Support

• Increase the availability of Case Vets, so that each farmer in Wales dealing with TB in their herd is allocated a Case Vet.
• Support the option for Private Vets to be included in communication and action surrounding a TB breakdown. Ensure Private Vets have knowledge and understanding of policy implementations on farm, working closely with the Case Vets and farmers to navigate a breakdown in collaboration. 
• Review and allow interjections to pause automated letter mail-outs in complicated breakdown situations. This will avoid farmers receiving conflicting messages.
• Explore the options for a digital communication platform, with Agent access.
• Support and facilitate the Welsh language and policy content on the TBHub.
• Urgently review the service of CymorthTB.
  
  

Wildlife

• Continue to support the work of the Badger Found Dead Scheme in Wales.

• Acknowledge the existing evidence collected by the Badger Found Dead Scheme and develop interventions to address disease in the wildlife population.
• Wildlife interventions must be:
  • Backed by evidence,
  • Financially deliverable,
  • Used as an opportunity to develop a greater understanding and share best practice,
  • Include a pre-set exit strategy. 
• Implement a scheme to monitor disease in other wildlife populations, such as Deer.

Domestic Trade

The value of remaining livestock from breakdown herds is severely diminished, massively impacting the businesses of family farms in Wales. Members wish to see further support in widening avenues in strengthening the trade of livestock from breakdown herds. In doing so, welfare issues due to overstocking would ease and the provisions would support the sustainability and economic viability of the cattle industry in Wales in line with seven goals of The Well-being of Future Generation Act (Wales) 2015.

By trusting stringent biosecurity measures, the FUW advocates for:

• Exploring options to allow Orange Markets to be conducted in the Intermediate TB Area North.
• Grant permission for TB Isolation Units to be set up in the Intermediate TB Area North.
• Allow for Approved Finishing Units to be located in both Intermediate TB Areas of Wales.
• Streamline application process for all specialised Bovine TB units.
  
  

Fairness 

• Align cross-border test interpretation. Currently there are differences between Inconclusive Reactor (IR) skin test interpretation in England and Wales. Wales has adopted a wider interpretation measurement to identify IR cattle. Where the Bovine lump reaction is 2mm below or 2mm greater than the comparative Avian lump, an IR result is given. In England, the IR result is given when the Bovine lump is up to 2mm more than the Avian lump. The consequences of the divergence in interpretation is that some IR cattle tested in Wales would be interpreted as ‘Clear’ tested cattle in England. This is a situation that is causing resentment and unfairness especially among cross-border communities.

Read the report in full here.