Neosporosis infection remains a major cause of abortion in UK cattle, farmers were warned at a meeting in Aberystwyth of the Farmers’ Union of Wales animal health and welfare committee.

Neosporosis is a parasitic infection caused by the protozoa Neospora caninum.  Infected cows are known to abort between three and nine months of pregnancy, produce still or premature calves, and/or suffer from repeat abortions.

According to the Moredun Research Centre, infected cattle are three to seven times more likely to abort than uninfected cattle and, with no other obvious clinical signs, the disease can only be diagnosed via a blood test or through a post-mortem test following an abortion.

Infection is not passed through direct cattle-to-cattle contact but infected cattle may pass the parasite to their offspring over several generations and in successive pregnancies.

Today FUW animal health and welfare committee chairman Catherine Nakielny said: “Dogs are a source of infection if they eat livestock material, such as placentas from newly calved cows, that is contaminated by the parasite and then excrete the eggs of the parasite in their faeces onto pasture, feed, water or bedding used by cattle.

“Once ingested, the parasites spread around the body via the bloodstream.  If the animal is pregnant, the parasite can invade the placenta and the foetus causing still births and abortion.

“The parasite can seriously affect the health of infected dogs. However, dogs don’t always display clinical signs,” said Dr Nakielny.

The union is asking those who walk their dogs in the countryside to follow best practise and pick up after their dogs.

“There is currently no vaccine available to protect against Neosporosis but there are some steps that farmers can take to help minimise the risk of livestock becoming infected.

“These include keeping hay, bedding, water and grazing land free of faecal contamination by dogs and the disposing of placentas, foetuses and stillborn calves in a correct and timely manner,” added Dr Nakielny.

Abortions can be caused by a variety of different diseases and the union would advise members to speak to their own vet about this issue.

For further information on Neosporosis please see: http://www.moredun.org.uk/research/research-@-moredun/reproductive-diseases/neospora

A delegation of Farmers’ Union of Wales Meirionnydd members and union officials including president Emyr Jones and deputy president Glyn Roberts travel to Brussels next week to learn more about the latest developments on agricultural issues from a European perspective and to promote Welsh food produce at the European Parliament.

The visit, facilitated by Jill Evans MEP, will be an opportunity for members to better understand the work of the European Parliament and will further provide an opportunity to celebrate the leading reputation of Welsh farm produce at a breakfast function at the Parliament on Tuesday March 4.

FUW Meirionnydd county executive officer Huw Jones said: “The visit will include meetings with Welsh MEPs, head of European affairs at the Welsh Government EU office Robert Parry and rural policy adviser and deputy head of office Andrew Aggett.

“There will also be a tour of the EU Parliament,  a visit to the Parliamentarium and we are, of course, very much looking forward to the breakfast function with produce supplied by Llaeth y Llan fruit yoghurts, Shirgar butter portions from Gower View Foods, dry cured Brecon gammon bacon by Castell Howell Foods Ltd, Brecon pork sausages, Welsh Mustard manufactured by The Welsh Mustard Co Ltd at Aberaeron as well as Perl Wen and Caerffili Cheese from Caws Cenarth.”

The visit will take place just over two months before the European elections on May 22.  “The FUW delegation will emphasise the huge importance and benefits that the agricultural industry in Wales receives from membership of the EU, and that it is questionable whether there would be similar support for our industry from our own Governments if the UK decides not to remain part of the EU after the possible referendum in 2017,” said Mr Jones.

“Wales’ rural communities receive approximately 400 million euros per annum from the CAP which in turn generates hundreds of thousands of pounds without which our economies in Wales rural areas, towns and villages would collapse. Our membership of the EU is also essential in providing us with access to European markets which also delivers billions to our economy.”

Mr Jones acknowledged that there were huge frustrations regarding some EU rules within the farming industry, but expressed concern regarding the perception of EU rules by some.

“Whilst some ridiculous rules such as the burial ban for fallen stock come directly from Europe, most of the rules which frustrate us are either created or gold-plated by the Welsh or UK Government - when you speak to farmers from other areas they often don’t recognise a problem because their governments don’t have an appetite for implementing the rules above their lowest level.

“Brussels does not have a monopoly on creating overly restrictive rules - we have plenty of people in the UK who are experts at it. A vote to leave the EU could mean we lose our funding, lose our access to the EU market into which we export a huge proportion of our produce, but keep the ridiculous rules. ”

The delegation will also underline concerns that the Common Agricultural Policy has moved further away from being a “Common” policy.

“The flexibility introduced under the last CAP negotiations means we are about as far away from a level playing field and common policy as we have been for many years. Wales has no LFA payments and the highest rate of modulation in the EU at 15%, while our main competitors have LFA payments, headage payments, and far lower modulation,” added Mr Jones.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is urging farmers to make their views known following the publication of the Welsh Government’s consultation on the Rural Development Plan (RDP) for 2014-2020.

Farmers can respond through the union’s head office, their local county office or directly to the Welsh Government via the response form on their website.

The proposals outline how the Welsh Government intends to spend the £953 million allocated to Pillar Two of the Common Agricultural Policy between 2014 and 2020.

FUW land use and parliamentary committee chairman Gavin Williams said: “The union is encouraging farmers to look carefully at the proposals within the document and to express their views on where  rural development resources should be spent over the next programme by responding to the consultation document and attending the RDP consultation events organised by Wales Rural Network .

“Following the Minister’s decision to top slice 15% of Pillar 1 payments to fund rural development measures, it is vital that farmers get engaged in the process to help shape the proposals which could benefit their businesses.”

Two RDP consultation events, organised by Wales Rural Network, will be held on March 10 at St David’s Hotel, Ewloe, Queensferry, Flintshire CH5 3YB and on March 12 at Hafod a Hendre, Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Powys LD2 3SY.

Those wishing to attend these meetings can register by contacting Welsh Government senior information officer Cath Midgley on 01686 620253 or 07817 405520.

The consultation document can be downloaded from the FUW’s website at: www.fuw.org.uk/Consultation/items/1359.html

The Farmers’ Union of Wales welcomed the Welsh Government’s launch today (February 17) of its online IACS/SAF completion and submission system, describing it as a positive step forward which will reduce errors and allow more time to complete forms before the all-important May 15 deadline.

Under EU rules, Single Application Form (SAF) and Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) data must be completed and submitted by May 15 each year, with failure to meet this deadline or errors in the data submitted resulting in draconian penalties.

“This year, for the first time, farmers will be able to complete and submit their forms online, with the online system being made available around a month earlier than the paper forms,” said FUW president Emyr Jones.

“Obviously problems such as poor broadband coverage in some areas mean that the system will not be suitable for all, but the launch of the online system will reduce the workload for many farmers as well as FUW offices which help members with their forms.”

The FUW assists around 3,000 members with the completion of their forms each year ahead of the May 15 deadline.

“The online system also means there is a reduced risk of mistakes since a great deal of information will be provided instantly, such as comparisons between areas and the numbers of field parcels claimed upon in 2014 and 2013, and instant confirmation that the form has been submitted,” said Mr Jones.

However, he advised farmers to ensure that they carefully follow the guidance on using the online system.

Online submission should also mean that data is processed more quickly by the Welsh Government since the form will not have to be scanned and interpreted before being entered onto the system, added Mr Jones.

“We would advise members interested in using the service to contact their FUW County Offices for further details, particularly those who wish to get their forms submitted ahead of the main lambing season.”

Natural resources and food minister Alun Davies has indicated that by 2016 he wants all IACS/SAF forms to be completed online, but the FUW has made it clear that farmers should retain the option to complete paper forms - not least because of issues of discrimination and problems with broadband coverage.

“However, we need to be realistic about the advantages of RPW Online for those who are in a position to make the most of the service, particularly in terms of spotting basic mistakes, monitoring the processing of claims and changes, and ensuring that correct information has been submitted and accepted by Rural Payments Wales,” Mr Jones added.