[caption id="attachment_7807" align="alignleft" width="200"] FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright[/caption]

The Welsh Government’s flagship bovine TB data document - TB Dashboard - has revealed disappointing progress towards the eradication of  bovine TB in Wales.

According to the data presented, the levels of bovine TB in Wales have remained fairly static overall, with variable results across the counties.

Indeed, whilst the TB Dashboard document reports a general fall in TB herd incidence since 2012, the number of cattle slaughtered in the 12 months leading to January 2017 was 22 percent higher than in the previous 12 months.

Dr Hazel Wright, FUW Senior Policy Officer, said: “Although the data from TB Dashboard shows improvement in some areas, the number of cattle slaughtered remains on the rise.  According to Welsh bovine TB statistics, with the exception of 2008 and 2009, the number of cattle slaughtered in the 12 months to January 2017 was higher than in any other year since 1996.

“Recurrence rates have remained relatively flat in recent years, however almost 30 percent of the TB incidents closed in 2014 entailed a recurrence  in the subsequent two years.

“Losing TB-free status is devastating to farming families and their businesses.  The restrictions on a farm business can be incredibly destructive and it is extremely distressing for our members to have worked hard to gain TB-free status, only to lose it again in the subsequent years.

“A TB breakdown is not only financially crippling for the farm, but also impacts more widely as struggling farm businesses are less able to contribute to the both the local economy and further afield.”

According to Dashboard, over 80 percent of new TB incidents are in the areas classified as ‘High TB areas’, including Pembrokeshire in the West.  In the last quarter of 2016, there were 71 new incidents in this region.  Whilst this is a minor improvement from the year before, the longer term results are variable and suggest that cattle measures alone cannot work to eradicate TB.

The latest official report on the IAA, published after the cessation of the £3.7 million badger vaccination programme in North Pembrokeshire, concluded that ‘consistent trends in indicators of bovine TB incidence have not yet been seen’ over the 5 year period examined.

“The industry is well aware that the results after four years of badger vaccination in the IAA showed levels of bovine TB which are no different to other comparable areas where badger vaccination did not take place.

The number of cattle herds registered in Wales has declined by 43 percent since 1996 and the industry has lost dairy producers at an alarming rate.  Bovine TB is one of the most serious issues facing Welsh cattle farmers and a more holistic approach, which seriously tackles the wildlife reservoir, is required urgently,” added Dr Wright.

[caption id="attachment_7882" align="alignleft" width="200"] FUW Marketing and Membership Manager Teleri Fielden[/caption]

A busy weekend of promoting why #FarmingMatters and highlighting the dangers dogs pose to livestock is awaiting the Farmers’ Union of Wales at this year’s Royal Welsh Spring Festival (20-21 May).

The FUW stand in the Glamorgan Hall will be a hive of activity and members are invited to join Union staff for discussions on farming matters, enter the FUW’s Summer Sheep Hamper competition, worth £150, and pick up their FUW-Farmers Guardian ‘Take the Lead’ gatepost sign.

Speaking ahead of the event, FUW Marketing and Membership Manager Teleri Fielden said: “We look forward to welcoming our members to the FUW stand, where we will be highlighting why #FarmingMatters and where we will also put the spotlight on the escalating issue of livestock worrying and how much of a problem this is for our members and farmers across the country.”

The FUW has long stressed that in order to protect farm businesses from severe financial and emotional stress, it is imperative that improved public awareness is coupled with central recording of incidences, tighter regulation and better enforcement.

“We are therefore handing out new gatepost signs so that our members can respectfully remind those walking their dogs in the countryside to keep them on a lead whilst they enjoy the beautiful scenery. We are looking forward to seeing many of you over the weekend and hope you can join us for a cup of tea and chats about farming matters,” added Teleri.

Members of the Union are also invited to pick up their copy of the FUW’s General Election Manifesto highlights, which outlines the Union’s key asks of the next UK Government.

[caption id="attachment_7882" align="alignleft" width="200"] “We are excited to once again join the NSA Welsh "Sheep event and look forward to welcoming our members to the stand." FUW Marketing & Membership Manager Teleri Fielden[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is putting the spotlight on #FarmingMatters at this years NSA Welsh Sheep, which is held on Tuesday, May 16, at Llwyn Bedw, Talybont-on-Usk, Brecon.

Through its #FarmingMatters campaign the Union aims to demonstrate why agriculture and rural communities must be a priority in terms of negotiating our departure from the EU and beyond, and members will be able to pick up their copy of the FUW’s General Election 2017 Manifesto.

FUW Marketing and Membership Manager Teleri Fielden said: “We are excited to once again join the NSA Welsh Sheep event and look forward to welcoming our members to the stand.

“Our staff are on hand to provide advice on #FarmingMatters and there is even a chance to enter our Spring Sheep hamper competition worth £150. We have partnered with CCF to provide a variety of useful equipment such as drenching guns, marker sprays and foot rot shears, to give you a head start this spring.

[caption id="attachment_7883" align="alignright" width="237"] Stop by the FUW stand to find out how you can win this Spring Sheep hamper[/caption]

“Also not be missed is the seminar on ‘Future models for public money towards farming’, which is being chaired by our Head of Policy Dr Nick Fenwick. The event is being held in the seminar area between 12.30pm and 1.20pm, to which all are welcome.”

In addition, the FUW has renewed its pledge to support the Farmers Guardian ‘Take the Lead’ campaign and will be handing out new gatepost signs to members.

“Increased numbers of livestock worrying incidents remain a major concern for the industry and we are pleased to pledge our continued support to the campaign. The public needs to be aware of how dangerous their pets can be to livestock if they are being chased or, even worse, attacked by dogs on the loose. We will continue to do our utmost to highlight the need for responsible dog ownership amongst the farming and non-farming community,” added Teleri.

Anchovy Roast Leg of Welsh Lamb

Wales is famous around the world for its green green grass, and it is this, of course, which makes our tender roast lamb so very delicious. We like ours cooked with our umami sea salt best, with anchovies and plenty of garlic.

SERVES 6-8

2 carrots
1 leek
1 red onion
4 cloves garlic, crushed
6 anchovies
Few sprigs of rosemary
2 teaspoons sea salt (umami works especially well here, but use plain or your choice of our flavours)
Cracked black pepper to taste
Good olive oil
2kg leg of lamb on the bone