Dairy farmer killed by bull during TB testing on Welsh farm

A dairy farmer has been killed by a bull while TB testing on a farm in Carmarthenshire, south-west Wales.

Maldwyn Harries was attacked by the animal on Friday 23 September as he tested his cattle for the disease. The 58-year-old suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the farm, Dyfed-Powys Police said.

Rural chaplain Revd Simon Bowkett, who has been supporting Mr Harries’ family, said he had been a popular and respected member of the farming community and his loss had devastated not only his family, but his many friends and neighbours.

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A minute’s silence was observed in his memory during the sheep sale at Fairfach on Monday 26 September.

Revd Bowkett praised the crew of the Welsh Air Ambulance who had attended the scene of the accident on the farm in the Penybanc area near Llandeilo.

“They did a tremendous job in very difficult circumstances,” he said.

60-day testing

The farm had been under TB movement restrictions and the test on Friday was the latest in a series of 60-day tests.

However, Revd Bowkett was scathing of a TB eradication policy which he said put farmers at risk.

“There is a human price to pay from this,” he said. “Is anybody taking note of the number of people who are killed or injured while TB testing?

“If they are, these statistics should be taken into account for the risk assessment for any policy that is put in place.”

Farmers have taken to Twitter to express their sadness.

Suffolk farmer Graham Denny wrote: “Tragic news and farmers everywhere will know that he loved the animal that accidentally will have done this harm. My condolences to all family and friends.’’

Oxfordshire farmer Phil White posted: “That is so very sad – we are saying a little prayer for the family here.”

And farmer’s wife Julie Thomas wrote: “Awful news, thoughts are with family. TB is a killer, not as a disease, but in its consequences.”

Scottish farm death

Meanwhile, a farmer has been killed in a farm accident in the Perth and Kinross region.

The driver of a side-by-side all-terrain vehicle (ATV) is understood to have sustained fatal injuries when moving cattle on September 18.

An investigation has been launched into both accidents. The coroner, along with the Health and Safety Executive, has been informed.

The double tragedy follows the death of a farmer in Derbyshire who suffered fatal injuries when moving cattle on Tuesday 6 September.