The latest data relating to bovine TB in Wales has revealed an alarming and unsustainable rise in the number of cattle slaughtered due to this disease. 

According to recent data, the number of cattle slaughtered in Wales in the 12 months to October 2019 was 12,742 and this is the highest number on record. 

Indeed, whilst the most recent data reveals a 12% fall in New Herd Incidents in the 12 months to October 2019, the number of cattle slaughtered over the same period was 24% higher than the previous year.  

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “Although the data from TB Dashboard shows improvement in some areas, the number of cattle slaughtered remains unsustainably high.  Just 917 cattle were culled in 1996 due to this disease and it is a sad and disturbing fact that the Welsh cattle sector has now become somewhat used to cattle slaughterings reaching the many thousands each year.”

The Union President added that losing TB-free status is devastating to farming families and their businesses.  “The loss of precious stock and the restrictions on a farm business can be incredibly destructive and it is extremely distressing for our members who have worked hard to gain TB-free status, only to lose it again in the subsequent years.

Farmers’ Union of Wales’ (FUW) staff have expressed major concerns regarding the implications for members, who are National Trust tenants, given the Trust’s plans to plant large numbers of trees on their land. 

The concerns were expressed during a meeting of the Union’s County Executive Officers who represent members in Wales’ twelve FUW county regions, some of which include large areas of land owned by the trust.

On Thursday (January 9) the General Director of the Trust revealed plans to grow 20 million trees over the next 10 years by planting saplings or removing livestock to allow self-seeding and dozens of farm tenancies are to be altered as they come up for renewal to cut sheep and cattle numbers.

To achieve their target, the Trust is looking to spend about £90 million creating 18,000 hectares of woodland, increasing the proportion of Trust land that is forest from 10 % to 17 % by 2030.

Speaking after the meeting, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “Our members are fully supportive of appropriate tree planting where this does not undermine farm productivity and the environment. Indeed they regularly complain about the obstacles they come across when they try to plant trees.

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day and it is a great opportunity to talk and share your thoughts before starting the day.

In order to promote the health benefits and have a good catch up before the day starts, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) Ceredigion team is once again hosting a farmhouse breakfast on:

Tuesday, January 21: Felinfach Hall, SA48 8AH

Wednesday, January 22: Caerwedros Hall, SA44 6BS

Friday, January 24: Penrhyncoch Hall, SY23 3EL

FUW Ceredigion County Chairman Morys Ioan said: “We all get really excited about our farmhouse breakfast every year. We can start the day together with family, friends and neighbours, in a positive way and at the same time raise money for our charitable cause, the DPJ Foundation.

“All of us are looking forward to yet another good turnout. It’s fair to say that a healthy start is not just good for a healthy heart but also for a healthy mind.”

The FUW’s Farmhouse breakfast week (Monday 20 January - Sunday 26 January) also provides an opportunity to promote the quality premium local produce that farmers grow in a sustainable way, and throughout breakfast week the FUW will shine a spotlight on the importance of our rural economy.

“I hope many of you will be able to join us for breakfast. We want you to be a part of what we do, and share your thoughts and worries about the state of the industry, tell us your stories and help us to understand how we can help each other, and what better way to do that than around a table where we share great food and have a cup of tea,” added Morys Ioan.

To book your seat at the table, contact the FUW’s Ceredigion office on 01570 424 515. 

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day and it is a great opportunity to talk and share your thoughts before starting the day.

In order to promote the health benefits and have a good catch up before the day starts, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) Brecon and Radnor team is hosting a farmhouse breakfast on Friday 24 January at Maescar Hall, Sennybridge.

FUW Brecon and Radnor County Chairman Dwylan Davies said: “We all get really excited about our farmhouse breakfast every year. We can start the day together with family, friends and neighbours, in a positive way and at the same time raise money for our charitable cause, the DPJ Foundation.

“All of us are looking forward to yet another good turnout. It’s fair to say that a healthy start is not just good for a healthy heart but also for a healthy mind. It is also a great opportunity for members to meet our new County Executive Officer Catrin Price.”

The FUW’s Farmhouse breakfast week (Monday 20 January - Sunday 26 January) also provides an opportunity to promote the quality premium local produce that farmers grow in a sustainable way, and throughout breakfast week the FUW will shine a spotlight on the importance of our rural economy.

“I hope many of you will be able to join us for breakfast. We want you to be a part of what we do, and share your thoughts and worries about the state of the industry, tell us your stories and help us to understand how we can help each other, and what better way to do that than around a table where we share great food and have a cup of tea,” he added.

To book your seat at the table, contact the FUW’s Brecon and Radnor office on 01982 554030. 

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day and it is a great opportunity to talk and share your thoughts before starting the day.

In order to promote the health benefits and have a good catch up before the day starts, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) Carmarthenshire team is once again hosting farmhouse breakfasts, between 8 - 11 am, on:

Thursday, January 23 at Pontyates Welfare Hall, Llanelli, SA15 5TR 

Friday, January 24 at Llanarthne Village Hall, SA32 8JD

FUW Carmarthenshire County Chairman Philip Jones said: “We all get really excited about our farmhouse breakfast every year. We can start the day together with family, friends and neighbours, in a positive way and at the same time raise money for our charitable cause, the DPJ Foundation.

“All of us are looking forward to yet another good turnout. It’s fair to say that a healthy start is not just good for a healthy heart but also for a healthy mind.”

The FUW’s Farmhouse breakfast week (Monday 20 January - Sunday 26 January) also provides an opportunity to promote the quality premium local produce that farmers grow in a sustainable way, and throughout breakfast week the FUW will shine a spotlight on the importance of our rural economy.

“I hope many of you will be able to join us for breakfast. We want you to be a part of what we do, and share your thoughts and worries about the state of the industry, tell us your stories and help us to understand how we can help each other, and what better way to do that than around a table where we share great food and have a cup of tea,” added Philip Jones.

To book your seat at the table, contact the FUW’s Carmarthen office on 01267 237974. 

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day and it is a great opportunity to talk and share your thoughts before starting the day.

In order to promote the health benefits and have a good catch up before the day starts, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) Anglesey team is once again hosting a farmhouse breakfast on Saturday 18 January at the Anglesey Showground.

FUW Anglesey County Chairman Richard Williams said: “We all get really excited about our farmhouse breakfast every year. We can start the day together with family, friends and neighbours, in a positive way and at the same time raise money for our charitable cause, the DPJ Foundation.