Next steps for the governance of the Welsh bovine TB Programme was at the top of the agenda when Farmers’ Union of Wales staff and officials met with the Minister for Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, today (25 July) at the Royal Welsh Show.
Dr Hazel Wright, FUW Deputy Head of Policy said: “We had a constructive discussion with the Minister regarding industry involvement in future bovine TB control policies in Wales. We reiterated many of the concerns outlined in our response to the last Refreshed TB programme in Wales and we were pleased that the Welsh Government repeated their commitment to partnership working on the future control programme.
“We would warmly welcome the opportunity to engage in all aspects of future TB policy in Wales in order to work together towards the joint aspiration of a TB free Wales.”
As part of the discussion, the union also highlighted concerns relating to the ban on feeding unpasteurised milk to calves on Officially TB Withdrawn premises and reiterated concerns over the lack of epidemiological evidence for this proposal.
“The FUW previously welcomed the establishment of a TB Technical Advisory Group in Wales and we believe that this issue should be examined by this group of experts when it is established with a view to determining the appropriateness of this potential regulatory requirement.
“It is essential that future control and eradication plans consider TB science, cattle welfare, farmer wellbeing and farm finances in equal measure in order to deliver a sustainable and pragmatic programme of TB control for Wales,” added Dr Wright.