‘New Welsh Government must give hope of a future without bovine TB’, says NFU Cymru

Daniel Bevan - Editor

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NFU Cymru has called on the next Welsh Government to overhaul its approach to bovine tuberculosis (TB).

The union’s intervention comes as part of its “Growing Together” manifesto campaign ahead of the upcoming Senedd Election, with a series of videos highlighting key challenges facing the agricultural sector and rural communities.

In the latest video, Roger Lewis outlines the continued impact of bovine TB on farm businesses, urging policymakers to adopt a more decisive and evidence-led eradication strategy.

Roger, whose own farm has been affected by the disease, said: “Over 11,000 cattle were slaughtered in Wales over the last calendar year due to bovine TB – a truly shocking statistic.

“Behind these figures lies the anguish experienced by farming families across Wales who deal with this disease, or the threat of this disease, on a daily basis.

“This disease places a huge strain on our Welsh farming industry. We cannot continue slaughtering thousands of cattle each year, whilst leaving the disease in wildlife unaddressed.

“There is clear evidence of a link between bovine TB in wildlife and cattle.

“The next Welsh Government should adopt a targeted approach – one which deploys the right intervention, whether that be culling or vaccination, in the right way and at the right time.

“We must be guided by the local disease picture on the ground and tackle the disease wherever it exists.

“Good on farm biosecurity remains crucial to protect our herds which are currently TB free.

“In addition, the stringent cattle control and testing regime will continue to play an incredibly important role in controlling this disease.

“If the next generation are to have any hope of farming in Wales without TB, then something needs to change.

“We urge the next Welsh Government to implement a comprehensive TB eradication strategy which actively tackles the disease in all its vectors.”